Extremely Supernormal is a playful and bordering-on-the-bizarre exhibition of works on paper and on textiles, combining collage, print and techniques often considered ‘women’s work’. The exhibition takes selected pieces from Rossanne Pellegrino’s series, ‘No Wallflower’ and ‘Play at Home Mum’, and explores themes of memory, identity, domesticity and play. 

“Storytelling plays a big part in my work. Growing up I always remember a lot of old family photos, trinkets and keepsakes - from both sides of my family. I think because they moved to Australia from other parts of the world, using these objects to keep memories and tell stories was important to them. It is now of no surprise to me that I use these sorts of materials in my work today.” Rossanne Pellegrino 2023. 

Pellegrino draws inspiration from Suffragette banners, as well as sage advice handed down generations - usually between women - and the sherbet-toned colour palettes of old 1960s films, to create her ‘No Wallflower’ wall-hangings. She uses techniques often considered 'women's work' such as sewing and embroidery, combining them with collages of found photos and imagery from vintage women's magazines and often incorporating pre-loved objects. Like grandma’s treasured doilies, fabric place card holders with top hat-adorned turkeys wearing monocles and smoking cigars, or children’s toys the artist replicates with clay. Tassel fringing features heavily throughout, and Technicolour and pastel hues accompany her found imagery on textiles. The titles of Pellegrino’s pieces are also a nod to her memories of advice overheard or handed down to her. Such as ‘A Stitch in Time’, ‘Always Carry a Handkerchief and a Safety Pin’ and ‘Just Wear the Damn Bikini’. 

“I grew up in a household where creativity was always present. My mum painted, drew and wrote. She and my grandmothers sewed, knitted and embroidered – all of which have a history of being considered as ‘just’ craft or ‘women’s work’. The idea of ‘women’s work’ is something I have become more and more interested in exploring.” Rossanne Pellegrino 2023. 

Following similar themes, 'Play at Home Mum' is a series of prints of Pellegrino’s bright and bold collages about memory, domesticity and the expectations of adulthood - in particular, the lack of play and curiosity as we become older. Using nostalgic images and childhood toys that hark back to a time passed, the everyday becomes a world of surreal characters hiding out in obscure yet familiar domestic settings. From ‘I’ll Be Seeing You II’ in which a woman stares out to her audience from behind a pair of toy scissors the artist has recreated out of clay, to ‘Today’s Look’ featuring apocalyptic zombie lipstick. 'Play at Home Mum' has become a collection of the bizarre, strange and sometimes humorous portrayal of 'mum life' and an attempt to reconnect with daily play. 

Rossanne Pellegrino was born in Adelaide, Australia in 1980. Pellegrino studied Visual Communications (Photography) as part of her International Studies degree and Diploma of Language. Since graduating in 2004, she has exhibited nationally and internationally. Her works are in private collections in the UK, Canada and Australia. 

Where: Solaris Print, 76 Norman Rd, Saint Leonards-on-sea, TN38 0EJ 

Duration: 17 June – 12 August 2023 

Preview: 17 June 6-8pm 

Admission: Free 

Website: solarisprint.co.uk