Bullseye

This is Mersereau's first work that she considers ‘political’, a response to a world event.

When she started Bullseye, Iraq had just been invaded without the UN’s sanction. The bombing and destruction, and particularly the reasons for the show of force by some of the world’s most powerful nations, affected her deeply. Mersereau asks, was this war really about fighting terrorism and locating ‘weapons of mass destruction’ or was there a very hidden, complex agenda?

The separate pieces with their crater-like patterns evolved as the invasion continued, and the work was completed late in May, 2003. Colours were specifically chosen: bright reds for blood and anger; dark reds for aggression and bloodlust; black for destruction and death. The smoke-like cast shadows are an integral part of the work, representing lives lost, as well as the creeping chill of fear invading everyday lives.