Born on Wurundjeri/Boon Wurrung Country, Naarm/Melbourne, Deborah Kelly is based between Gadigal Country, Sydney and Jerrinja Country, Currarong. Deborah is known for her multi-disciplinary, exuberant and diverse participatory collages and costumes that come to life in workshops, events and performances. Working with collaborators, participants and institutions throughout Australia and worldwide, she has contributed to the Biennales of Singapore, Venice, Thessaloniki, TarraWarra and Sydney. Her kaleidoscopic collage animation work The Gods of Tiny Things was featured at ACMI, Melbourne in 2021 and CREATION, now touring regionally, has been exhibited at the Sydney Opera House and in Newcastle’s New Annual Festival.
Deborah’s A stitch in time is an unfolding evolution of participatory portraits of Justin Shoulder and Latai Taumoepeau, begun in 2013. In sewing circles facilitated by the artist, enthusiastic stitchers, sewists, embroiderers and beaders will update, augment and embellish Deborah’s printed portraits to account for a decade of bodily transformation and lived history.
