Undoing Dee’s Work
2024
Undoing Dee’s Work - installation view - VSSL Studio - London - 2025
Undoing Dee’s Work is a performative installation - a series of seven art works - that deconstruct the Commonwealth Star into seven diamond-shaped fragments, challenging the British Empire’s esoteric and material foundations, particularly the occult influence of the Elizabethan astronomer and advisor, John Dee (credited with coining the term ‘British Empire’) through a practicle unmaking of colonial symbology.
Depicting indigenous hybrid fauna from both England & Australia, set amidst deconstructed motifs of a late British Monarch, the series gestures towards transformation. Initially a complete star, the work is progressively dismantled across exhibitions, energetically unraveling colonial structures. Through cotton, calico, digital prints, and gold leaf, the piece merges material histories with magical practice, envisioning decolonial futures.
Funded by Arts Council England, the work toured (2024/25) as part of Sebastian’s solo exhibition Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light.
Depicting indigenous hybrid fauna from both England & Australia, set amidst deconstructed motifs of a late British Monarch, the series gestures towards transformation. Initially a complete star, the work is progressively dismantled across exhibitions, energetically unraveling colonial structures. Through cotton, calico, digital prints, and gold leaf, the piece merges material histories with magical practice, envisioning decolonial futures.
Funded by Arts Council England, the work toured (2024/25) as part of Sebastian’s solo exhibition Holding The Shadow While Calling Back The Light.
Sigil IV - Entanglements (Torresian/Carrion/Entity II) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
Sigil VII - Shed (Python/Adder/Entity III) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.List of Works:
(all dimensions listed relate to the unframed textile works)
i. Sigil I - The Seemingly Dangerous and Not without Innocence - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, reconstituted nylon flag, gold leaf, cotton thread and tin eyelet - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
ii. Sigil II - Neither Nor (Ulysses/Adonis Blue/Entity I) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
iii. Sigil III - Chrysalis (Ulysses/Adonis Blue/Entity I) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
iv. Sigil IV - Entanglements (Torresian/Carrion/Entity II) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
v. Sigil V - Egg (Torresian/Carrion/Entity II) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
vi. Sigil VI - New Ancients (Python/Adder/Entity III) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
vii. Sigil VII - Shed (Python/Adder/Entity III) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
(all dimensions listed relate to the unframed textile works)
i. Sigil I - The Seemingly Dangerous and Not without Innocence - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, reconstituted nylon flag, gold leaf, cotton thread and tin eyelet - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
ii. Sigil II - Neither Nor (Ulysses/Adonis Blue/Entity I) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
iii. Sigil III - Chrysalis (Ulysses/Adonis Blue/Entity I) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
iv. Sigil IV - Entanglements (Torresian/Carrion/Entity II) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
v. Sigil V - Egg (Torresian/Carrion/Entity II) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
vi. Sigil VI - New Ancients (Python/Adder/Entity III) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
vii. Sigil VII - Shed (Python/Adder/Entity III) - 2024 - giclée print on calico, calico, gold leaf, cotton thread - H:162cm x W:62cm ca. in stained oak frame.
