Princes Highway, 2017
single-channel HD video, sound, 5 minutes 57 seconds
Production: Kate Blackmore

Conceived for Princes Highway, 8–24 December 2017, 55 Sydenham Rd, Sydney

Review on Running Dog: ‘Princes Highway’ by Paul Kelaita

The Princes Highway came into being when pre-existing roads were renamed ‘Prince’s Highway’ after the 1920 Australian tour of the Prince of Wales, who would later abdicate the throne as King Edward VIII. Filmed at Tempe Tyres, a Princes Highway business known for its visual display of chrome rims, Princes Highway documents the comings and goings of customers behind the towering facade, simultaneously reflecting the traffic outside.

Once upon a time, motors would turn the wheels at various speeds, however, over the years, this facility has slowly degraded – some wheels have even fallen down. Princes Highway is a reflection on the emblems of suburban Australian masculinity, cycling slowly until they are eventually abdicated and abandoned.

Photos: 55 Sydenham Rd