_Compartment_
20 Artists + 20 Discarded drawers.
Exhibition curated by @leigh.secretagent and @misch_aart222
Title
Infinity Drawer
Statement
In our lives, a drawer is a place to keep, save, or hide things. For someone like me, who migrated from Chile, the concept of a singular, permanent drawer doesn’t exist. Every place I’ve called home has been temporary, and every drawer I’ve had has eventually been emptied. This transient existence poses a profound question: where do I keep, save, and hide the things that matter?
I have become the keeper of the things a drawer cannot hold, save, or hide. My sculpture explores and represents this idea, inviting you to become the keeper, the protagonist.
From the outside, you can see your shadow and the repetition of what the drawer is holding. From the inside, you see your reflection, making you the protagonist and giant in a landscape with houses that migrate.
This work challenges you to consider your own inner drawer and the boundless, intangible space where your most important experiences and memories reside.
Creative Process
It all began in March 2024, when I was invited to participate with the simple prompt: to let creativity flow using a discarded drawer. Each artist selected their own unique piece, and the moment I saw mine, I knew it was the one.
The drawer had a worn, dark wood surface with irregularities that immediately drew me in. Its imperfections—like the missing handle, a small hole in the corner, and its deeply textured wood—gave it a story and character I felt connected to. But it was the sliding bottom piece, moving smoothly in and out, that truly captured my heart. This small feature unlocked a world of ideas, setting the foundation for what would become a layered, intimate piece. I knew this drawer had a past, and I was excited to give it new life through this project.
I began reflecting on the purpose of a drawer—what it’s made for and the many ways it’s used to store, collect, and organize. This led me to think about my own experiences. Since I’m not originally from Australia, I haven’t been able to settle in one place due to my visa circumstances. Even when I’ve stayed somewhere for a longer period, it has always felt temporary, as if I were only a visitor. This project became an exploration of that feeling—of what it means to be in transition, to hold parts of yourself in one place but never fully settle. Through this piece, I aimed to capture the tension between permanence and impermanence, the sense of belonging while always being ready to move on.
I began reflecting on the purpose of a drawer—what it’s made for and the many ways it’s used to store, collect, and organize. This led me to think about my own experiences. Since I’m not originally from Australia, I haven’t been able to settle in one place due to my visa circumstances. Even when I’ve stayed somewhere for a longer period, it has always felt temporary, as if I were only a visitor. This project became an exploration of that feeling—of what it means to be in transition, to hold parts of yourself in one place but never fully settle. Through this piece, I aimed to capture the tension between permanence and impermanence, the sense of belonging while always being ready to move on.
I began reflecting on the purpose of a drawer—what it’s made for and the many ways it’s used to store, collect, and organize. This led me to think about my own experiences. Since I’m not originally from Australia, I haven’t been able to settle in one place due to my visa circumstances. Even when I’ve stayed somewhere for a longer period, it has always felt temporary, as if I were only a visitor. This project became an exploration of that feeling—of what it means to be in transition, to hold parts of yourself in one place but never fully settle. Through this piece, I aimed to capture the tension between permanence and impermanence, the sense of belonging while always being ready to move on.
