Annette Peterson, Before Me (detail), 2019, Oil on Wood. Image courtesy of the artist.

ANNETTE PETERSON

Peterson delves into the mysteries of her grandfather's life with information gathered over three years of research.

During her research, Peterson unearthed numerous facts that were previously unknown to both Archie’s family in Cornwall, UK and in Australia. Central to his story is the only possession that he carried with him since he was a small boy sent out into the world alone: a small suitcase. This possession symbolises the impermanence of memories, hopes, and dreams.

During her residency, Peterson plans to replicate Archie's small suitcase in papier mâché using the paper trail from her research, in addition to portraits of contributors to the project, and an extended narrative of Archie's life.