MNG: What is the attraction of wool?
MHK: Wool, string, cotton and yarn are the materials that have a constant presence in my life. They’re the materials I’m most attracted to and enjoy working with. To me the question “What is the attraction of wool?” is difficult to answer. It would be like asking a painter “What is the attraction of paint for you?”
There is such a great variety of textures, structures and colours and they are wonderful sculptural materials. Like Christianity, the materials I use are omnipresent. Everywhere you look you will see something made with wool, string, cotton or yarn. (At the same time everywhere you look you will see something painted).
MNG: You have always crotcheted works sculpturally. How do you decide on what?
MHK: Crochet is a method of manipulating my raw materials. I continue to investigate various methods of sculpting, drawing and painting, using crochet, knitting, French knitting, stitching, knotting and starching.
I tend to think and visualise in three dimensions, so sculpture is perfect for the manifestation for my ideas.
MNG: Much of your work takes a side-ways look at Christianity - sideways but not necessarily irreverent. Want to say anything about that?
MHK: Christianity has an imperious presence throughout our national culture, society, speech and psyche. Churches and Christian iconography seem omnipresent. People consciously or unconsciously refer to god in their everyday speech, “Oh my God”, “Jesus”, “Jesus Christ” being common expletives or exclamations used to express a range of emotions including anger, surprise, disbelief, amazement, sexual excitement, sadness, enthusiasm and so on.
Christianity and Christians have made irreparable alterations to a plethora of indigenous cultures, and confused millions around issues of sex and sexuality.
On the flip-side, Christianity brings comfort to and makes sense of the world for a huge amount of people. So as confusing as I find it to worship a male god, I understand the benefits this has for many. I think my work successfully addresses satire, critique and celebration.
MNG: You talk about being compulsive obsessive - and JSG is definitely that - but there is also a sense of the meditiativeness of making that is reflected in the subject matter, especially the rosary beads. Somehow this almost aligns with 'praying', or contemplation?
MHK: I think most repetitive labour intensive activities have some sort of meditative quality. It can be a time to relax, de-stress, and centre. That’s what religion does for people too. Performing a task repeatedly brings a sense of calm to a cacophonous world.
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