Assembly, Julia Rooney's debut solo exhibition, delves into the complexities of domestic space, exploring how it is physically constructed and socially performed through habitation. By blurring the boundaries between illusion and reality, Rooney’s work challenges the viewer to rethink their relationship to the spaces they occupy and the materials that define them. Her use of unconventional materials and hybrid forms transforms everyday objects into evocative reflections on the intersections of architecture, memory, and personal identity.
One such work, Noseguard (2016), exemplifies Rooney’s experimental approach. Created with an array of materials—including oil paint on Sheetrock, painted canvas, cut roofing felt, and roofing membrane—this piece embodies a tactile interplay between fragility and resilience. The stitching and reinforcement with Flex Seal and foam add layers of both texture and structural support, suggesting a tension between the handmade and the industrial. The angular forms and vibrant colors evoke a fragmented yet cohesive sense of space, echoing elements of domestic construction while also disrupting their familiarity. Noseguard encapsulates the themes of Assembly, offering a nuanced exploration of how materials, form, and function interact in the creation and performance of space.
