In her latest work, Australian artist Emmaline Zanelli captures the essence of childhood innocence and human vulnerability through her imaginative photography series, “Semaphore”. Set in the coastal suburb where Zanelli spent her formative years, this series uses household objects and food to create intriguing compositions. These images simultaneously evoke themes of fertility, eroticism, uncertainty, and illusion, offering a playful yet provocative exploration of human experiences. By employing everyday materials such as dried legumes, bubbly dishwater, and marbles, Zanelli brings to life the magical worlds she once constructed on her living room floor with the help of her mother.
The “Semaphore” series transports us back to a simpler time, when weekends were devoted to imaginative play and creativity. This nostalgic lens invites us to reflect on our own childhoods and the fragility that accompanies growth and development. Through her art, Zanelli not only revisits the whimsical landscapes of her youth but also masterfully highlights the complex emotions and themes that underpin human existence. Her work stands as a testament to the powerful interplay between innocence and experience, familiarity and mystery.
This was where I conducted my very first experiments facilitated by my mum, where weekends were spent building worlds on the living room floor with the furniture pushed back, blankets laid down, trays of dried legumes and bubbly dishwater, growing crystals and laying marble tracks.
Emmaline Zanelli
More Info: Website, Instagram (h/t: Booooooom).
