Here be dragons

“Hic sunt dracones is a medieval Latin phrase meaning ‘dragons are here’.

Early cartographers would place this phrase over areas of their maps that were blank. These were places that were unexplored or literally unknown. There might have been some suspicion that strange beasts lurked there but really it was more about the lack of knowledge. They knew something was there but had no idea what. I guess that made it dangerous.” says Peter Hennessey about his exhibition at the Tolarno Galleries.

“In the modern world we have no room for dragons, no place for blank spaces on maps. Technology brings us a sense that everywhere is mapped and available to us. The ubiquitous smart phone insures that we always know where we are and where ‘where’ is.” continues the Australian artist.

Hennessey’s work investigates objects that we all know well – but only virtually, through media. At a time when we are increasingly obsessed with all things virtual, Hennessey creates something physical. His models of inaccessible objects (spacecraft, military and scientific material, GPS navigation satellites …) are as accurate as he can make them but can never be mistaken for the real thing.

until August 23, 2014
Peter Hennessey
Here be dragons / Hic sunt dracones
Tolarno Galleries
289 Flinders Ln, Melbourne, Australia