Dougal Haslem: The Turtle and the Merman

Artist list

Dougal Haslem

Will that piece move on its own accord when I look away?
Dougal Haslem’s debut solo exhibition “The Turtle and the Merman” at Pieces of Eight Gallery is a menagerie of absurd and mechanical creatures. They are pure creations of the imagination - whimsical, eccentric and entirely original in concept and form. Exquisitely handcrafted, Haslem has made it his intention to deconstruct/reconstruct found mechanical objects such as small clocks to breathe life into a collection of his very own anthropomorphic and zoomorphic miniature characters.

Utilising both found material and traditional gold and silversmithing techniques, Haslem explores the possibilities of human interaction with miniature objects and jewellery in surreal and humorous ways. He is particularly interested in mechanical characters and robotic movement and has spent several years developing this body of work. Most recently it became the focus of his Master of Fine Art at RMIT University (2008-9). The finished pieces themselves are a hybrid between stasis and mobility, they look like little machines that do not perform a function but are full of personality and evoke a reaction of intrigue and curiosity in the viewer.

Dougal Haslem has been represented by Pieces of Eight Gallery since 2008. He has participated in various group exhibitions with the gallery and this is his first solo exhibition.