Curiosities No. 6

In my artwork, a pen drawing of the human ribcage takes centre stage, a stark yet intricate representation of the essence of life's vulnerability and strength.

The ribcage, a protective structure guarding our most vital organs, becomes a poignant symbol of the resilience inherent in our existence. To further emphasize this paradox, I overlay the drawing with woven x-ray film, creating a hauntingly beautiful and enigmatic tapestry that melds darkness and fragility. The dark aesthetic, akin to the shadows that dance upon our bones, evokes contemplation on the delicate balance between life and mortality.

Through this composition, I invite viewers to peer beyond the surface, to explore the layers of existence that bind us, reminding us that beneath the obscurity lies the enduring beauty of our innermost selves.

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Michelle Driver is a South Australian artist working exclusively in handwoven tapestry. Her practice is grounded in slow labour, repetition, and material discipline, approaching tapestry as a rigorous studio practice rather than a decorative craft.

Her work is shaped by queerness, neurodiversity, and lived experience of trauma, and often draws on gothic aesthetics and unsettling narrative. Through weaving, she explores shadow, memory, and the tension between obedience and refusal, revealing beauty within what is overlooked or difficult to name.

Driver’s work has been recognised nationally, including winning the 2016 Port Pirie Art Prize and inclusion in Radical Textiles at the Art Gallery of South Australia.