Men's Shed

This represents Bob's first foray into repurposing of an existing structure. This masterpiece of spiritual architecture invites comparison with the Cathedral of Notre Dame. A palimpsest of a simple shed, the extensive sculptural adornments evoke reverential elements of the skilful metamorphosis from ‘Shed’, to ‘Men’s Shed’, in the context of the local ethnographic milieu. As historically a space for the quasi-religious observance of rituals of the ‘male priest’ caste, it nevertheless democratises the space in the symbiosis of both everyday and sometimes perplexing items on the left and right altars. It encourages internal search for relevance by the viewer. What did these objects do? How would they fit in my own world? The rhythmic structure soothes and invites the viewer inward. The hanging of saws outside is a metaphoric need to display emotions (even abrasive ones), also opening up opportunities to engage with construction without needing explicit invitations, inverting the previously intensely private shed space, with a hint of extraversion and vulnerability (along with trust - will the visitor ever return the saws?) The dramatic yoni on the door, seldom found in this class of shed, adds a feminine element not to be denied or suppressed, embracing the often unstated importance of (and obsession with) this symbol to those within. The shed uniquely has it's own internet connection, symbolic of the cultural progression from inhabiting simple caves to global connection.