Ricky Swallow Killing Time Analysis

Ricky Swallow is an Australian artist, born in the year 1974 and is currentaly the age of 44.
From earlier on, most of his art works refered to pop culture, such as, star wars, the planet of the apes, BMA bikes or DJ culture. But its shown that he’s evolved away from this, with the new aim to 'trap time on the surfaces of his sculptures'; ‘Killing time’ being one piece which showcases this as Swallow delves into his past, to create one of his most perosnal works yet.

Momentos, 'an object kept as a reminder of a person or event’. The artwork, ‘Killing Time’ was created as a wooden chronicle; showing momentos through the details which were handcarved onto a peice of laminated julong - a pale coloured tropical hardwood. During the process of making this artwork Swallow has gone back into

the state of him, as the son of a San Remo fisherman, carving a table (a replica of his families) with scattered seafood - mussles, crayfish, oysters, fish and squid- placed on top of this wooden structure. The marine creatures represents those of which Swallow had caught, killed and ate himself as a youth. As well as this its also visible of a half- peeled lemon, gathered table cloth, a tipped bucket and knife.

The sculpture 'Killing time’ which took 6 months of Swallows dedication, also adds in as we see Swallow killing off time by completing this detailed wooden structure of the dining table and sea creatures.

Seemingly, from my point of view there may also be additional value and meaning in this art piece; from the peeled lemon on the edge of the table as well as the fish pouring out of the bucket.
Firstly, the fish can potientaly relate and symbolise christianity, since, during the ancient times, there were stories from the bible - based upon fish as well as the symbol of a fish was a way where christians could idenitify each other without the governement or religous leaders suspecting or knowing. With this secret way of communication those (christians) were then able to plan/mark tombs for meet ups. This showcases to us that their family could be religious - christian. Where as the half peeled lemon, has the general meaning to tell and warn us that life is not only sweet but sour as well - which is able to relate/link back to the story behind the fish: being, that christians didnt always have a joyous time instead also had downs (hiding their religon inoder not to be

persecuted).

The illusionism of the sculpture is brought out by the attention of the features/detailing in the fish, the lemon, the lobster and the creased folds of the tablecloth pushed to one end. Other than this, the timber and the dramatic side-lighting, devise to create strong shadows and highlights which point to enhance the expressiveness and imprortance of this structure.

Overall, The title 'Killing Time' 'refers to the sense of life stilled in art, to the act of remembering and recording something from the artist's past, and to the time spent on carving this labour-intensive sculpture.' Swallow has effectively showed momentos and created this sculpture to show symbolism of his past life as a teenager, catching, killing and eating the fish he once caught with his fisherman father.