A Venn diagram is a solo exhibition of new sculptures by Naarm-based artist Katie Ryan. Made using flyscreen, clay and everyday objects, these works examine the intersection of contradictory or opposed spheres.

Produced through abstraction, diagrams present the relationship between a set of ideas as logical, contained and self-evident through ‘empirical’ aesthetics. In this exhibition, the diagram is imbued with absurd content, alluding to its fraudulent potential.

These works are further informed by cultural theorist Sianne Ngai’s concept of the gimmick, a contradictory and uniquely capitalist form. Frequently uttered, the judgement of ‘gimmick’ demonstrates an everyday understanding of value, labour and time. A gimmick is a device that makes dubious but attractive promises of saving us time, reducing labour or increasing value.  

Both diagrams and gimmicks contain fraudulent potential. For A Venn diagram forms and metaphors are stretched and everyday materials are encouraged to perform in unexpected or dubious ways.

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