Thief

Julia Robinson
Australia
1981

Thief
2012
boiled wool, blanket, fabric, thread, bucket, enamel, foam, wire
Place made
Adelaide
Medium
boiled wool, blanket, fabric, thread, bucket, enamel, foam, wire
Dimensions
250.0 x 70.0 x 55.0 cm
Credit line
Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation's South Australian Artists Fund 2013
Accession number
20134S16
Signature and date
Not signed. Not dated.
Provenance
Created by Julia Robinson, Adelaide, 2012; purchased by the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, 2013.
Media category
Sculpture
Collection area
Australian sculptures
Copyright
© Courtesy the artist and Hugo Michell Gallery
Image credit
Photo: James FIeld

  • In Icelandic folklore, a witch has the ability to morph into an elder tree and stretch her long branch arms into barns at night to milk cows dry. Thief depicts an anthropomorphic tree attempting to reach into a milk bucket, which is protected by an Icelandic symbol known as the ‘butterknot’.

    Robinson's fascination with the witch aligns with the emergence of the witch as a feminist symbol in contemporary culture, where she is portrayed as the most formidable woman in history. Originally revered as bearers of good omens, healers, helpers and midwives, witches ultimately endured harsh judgement, indignity and persecution, which deeply disturbed Robinson.  

    Leigh Robb, Curator of Contemporary Art