Since the 1970’s King has made works that are interpreted as clothing or the human figure. While neither, but inspired by the interaction of objects in conditions such as the insertion of the body into essentially formless garments, these new works seek to illustrate the essence of form associated with femininity.
An oft quoted 19th Century nursery rhyme states, “little girls are made of sugar and spice and all things nice”. Several years ago King’s life was enhanced by the birth of two little girls, giving him a personal perspective on the truth of those light-hearted but heartfelt words. The resultant works of the, ‘and all things nice’, Series acknowledge that little girls become big girls and portray elements of adult femininity.
King acknowledges that his various themes reappear in new guises, sometimes fifteen years after the last manifestation. This series can be traced through several others to the Yukata Series of the 1970’s. Such reassessment of form and intent is not necessarily planned but rather manifests as new variations slip from the subconscious into the studio practice.
Also engaged in kiln formed and cast glass, he moves from art to design as need dictates completing major architectural decoration commissions in Australia and Singapore.
Many works have a sociopolitical underpinning, evidence of his background in researching and commentating on cultural colonization in the visual arts. Until 1996 he was Head of The School of Design at the University of South Australia, [previously Course Coordinator of Glass Studies].
Commitments in 2009 include SOFA New York, The Glashart International Invitational Exhibition at Fort Vuren, Holland and a retrospective exhibition at the National Contemporary Glass Collection at the City Art Gallery Wagga Wagga. Solo exhibitions are planned for Sabbia Gallery, Sydney and Kirra Galleries, Melbourne in 2010 and participation in two environmental sculpture exhibitions for the Adelaide Festival of Arts.
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