FINAL CURTAIN
‘Final Curtain’ is an evocative photographic series exploring the enigmatic world of abandoned structures and objects.
An Art Deco theatre in regional NSW stands derelict; its only inhabitants are the cooing pigeons that now call it home. The projection room is frozen in time, as if its occupants have just stepped out for a moment. Curls of film lie abandoned on a table. A flea market trades in cherished memories, passing them from one soul to another. Each image is a portal to an untold story, concealed in the midst of decay.
The photographs are printed on textured flock and embossed wallpapers, where the background and texture become an integral part of the narrative, echoing the forgotten interiors and suggesting a tangible link to those who once inhabited these spaces.
Claudia Chan Shaw
Sydney-born creative Claudia Chan Shaw has a diverse career as an installation and photo artist, curator, fashion designer, broadcaster and author. Claudia is a photo artist fascinated by the transitory nature of the ephemeral urban environment and its pathway to memory, nostalgia and beauty.
As the inaugural curator of the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival (2016 – 2018) and curator of Lunar New Year celebrations at World Square (2019 – 2021), Claudia designed large scale public installations including the Tai Chi Bunnies, Three (not so) Little Pigs, The Ratrobats, Robot Rats, and Warrior Ox. Her artwork has featured in solo shows and group exhibitions, Head On Photo Festival, GLOW Festival at HOTA, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, and Sydney Lunar Festival.
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