‘Theatre of the Grotto’ is an experiemental installation exhibited at ‘The Cube’, Mosman Art Gallery, 2021.

Throughout history, grottoes have been the symbol of life, associated with the underworld, a meeting place between the human and the divine, and an original source of water. Here, Kate Dorrough presents a playful, hybrid interpretation, incorporating artificial rockery and a series of projected videos into real water, accompanied by narrated texts, to stage an interplay between the artificial, the real and the imaginary. The layering of ceramic vessels, shells, paint, video, sound, and fabric, echoes historical references that reveal signs, totems, and unearthed mysterious relics.

  • Projected video onto the central sculptural grouping
  • Cement sculptures embedded with shells and ceramic shards
  • Fabric hangings act as stage wings with sculpture on chair and bowl containg water
  • Fabric hanging idols of the grotto with sculptures
  • Fabric idol, hand stitched, sequins and beads
  • Fabric idol, hand stitched with paint, sequins and beads