Lincoln Austin - Don't get carried away with yourself, Lincoln

Don't get carried away with yourself, Lincoln

2020 and ongoing

polyurethane coated nylon fabric, nylon thread, carbon fibre, brass, photographic and video documentation

293 x 293 x 293 cm

Don’t get carried away with yourself, Lincoln is an ambitious major work, comprising of a sculptural object/costume, public performance, photographs and a video documentation.

The title of this project, Don’t get carried away with yourself, Lincoln, operates on various levels, each of which reflect the many roles of a mother: of nurturer, teacher, and protector. This work is very personal, it speaks of a mother who encouraged her son to be himself yet was also aware of the importance of social acceptance to a child’s development. The world has changed since my childhood, Queerness is now discussed openly and with less prejudice. However, the desire to find a balance between encouraging uniqueness and hoping for acceptance by their child’s peers and society remains a universal concern for parents. The work is also an optimistic comment on breaking free of parental expectations, of ‘getting carried away’ by the wind. Finally, the work speaks to the mother/son relationship when roles are reversed, and children become caregivers to their parents.

At the time of its development, I was the primary carer for my mother as she battled terminal ovarian cancer (she has since made a full recovery). The many hours of sewing required to realise this ambitious work were done at my mother’s kitchen table with her involvement and support.

Also a platform for LGBTIQ+ voices: One of the aims of Don’t get carried away with yourself, Lincoln is to broaden understanding of issues faced by LGBTQI+ persons through generating public discourse encouraged by involvement in the project. The work and performances aim to be colourful, fun and exuberant, informed by my personal journey of letting go of the anxiety of expressing joy publicly. My own relationship with my mother, and the complexities of growing up queer while dealing with issues of identity and masculinity, is not unique to me. I hope this project continues to generate dialogue within the wider community.

Many people were involved in and supported this project, thank you to you all. In particular I wish to thank two assisting artists, Kirralee Robinson and Jordan Azacune.

This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.