“Fan” explored the themes of collecting and fandom.

Curious about what motivates collectors to collect, I conducted clay modeling workshops with collectors of art and sports memorabilia. These sessions sparked revealing conversations, highlighting that the language of collectors transcends the nature of their collections.

The resulting artwork, Fan, is a playful fusion of art and sport. Each sculpture pairs an iconic artwork with a famous athlete, creating witty juxtapositions that rely on recognisability. For example, Rodin’s The Thinker is re-imagined in a full-length swimsuit, instantly recalling Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe. Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog morphs into tennis player Lleyton Hewitt, captured in his signature ‘C’mon’ gesture. Sidney Nolan’s depiction of bush-ranger Ned Kelly, with his iconic helmet, merges with Cathy Freeman’s Olympic bodysuit, while Ai Weiwei’s sunflower seeds combine with AFL player Levi Casboult’s ‘double cobra’ pose.

The sculptures are framed by blue and white porcelain flowers, each inscribed with phrases about collecting, generated from conversations during the workshops. These words capture the essence of what it means to be a collector—bridging art and sport through shared passion and devotion.