Dianne Bennett: OMG Life is Suffering

The never-ending development of the hi-desert, that surrounds Dianne Bennett’s home, into suburbia creates a slow encroachment on the survival of indigenous species. It goes unnoticed day by day, but the stark difference in bird populations on a decade by decade comparison is horrendous. Bennett recognizes how the anthro-centric development resists any narrative of destruction of habitat and pushes back through her continued series of flora and fauna on hi-viz signage. The title of the show OMG life is suffering is a dry and satirizing play on the Buddhism mistranslation of dukkha, an ancient Pali word that has no direct translation into English, but is often misdirected to a narrative that implies suffering as a symptom of impermanence is a natural inherited state. When in fact, many Buddhist monks argue this acceptance is directed towards benign moments of dissatisfaction and not intended to be tolerant of systemic injustices.

The medium of hi-viz signage comes with its set of difficulties that Dianne Bennett takes head on utilizing high-contrast colors while allowing much of the sign to peep through the psychedelic imagery. Without any priming under-painting, she uses sgraffito techniques to create patterns and textures best seen in-person.

Host or Publisher WACKO