Drew Connor Holland is a Sydney-based artist examining how memories are catalogued across digital archives, physical spaces, and human consciousness. The artist views his practice as a form of contemporary archaeology through the transformation of hoarded digital data, particularly screenshots, which are degraded through analogue reproduction processes, the finished pieces reading as dilapidated visions of their original states. These works question how we value the data that surrounds us.
Each artwork is intentionally rendered fragile; rather than appearing slick and new, they have a battered and aged finish—evoking the quality of a crumbling fresco or tapestry. In this state, they invite a gentle engagement and call for care.
Whilst in residence at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, Drew draws upon childhood memories of living in the Eastern Suburbs in the late 90’s, where his grandmother served as principal of the local public school. Working within this memory-laden landscape, he weaves personal and local histories together to create a new reflective body of work.