I can’t shake the stranger out of you
In their latest solo exhibition, Carsel continues to process the complex composition of self- and peoplehood in the Jewish diaspora. At CoCA, they expand the symbolist pictorial language of their quilt practice and introduce new possibilities with works in the Jewish papercutting tradition. Through these forms, Carsel reflects on collective and personal Jewish cultural histories of England and Aotearoa New Zealand. In doing so, they seek to come to terms with the fullness of absence and make space for repulsion in what is beautiful and for beauty in what repels.
Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
In the Abstract (a Rock, an Island) (2025) (detail). Acid-dyed and quilted linen-cotton, and ceramic. 1280mm x 1540mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
In the Abstract (a Rock, an Island) (2025) (detail). Acid-dyed and quilted linen-cotton, and ceramic. 1280mm x 1540mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
In the Abstract (a Rock, an Island) (2025). Acid-dyed and quilted linen-cotton, and ceramic. 1280mm x 1540mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Dance (More Pleasing Shapes) (2025) (detail). Acid-dyed and quilted cotton and linen-cotton. 1359mm x 1359mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Dance (More Pleasing Shapes) (2025) (detail). Acid-dyed and quilted cotton and linen-cotton. 1359mm x 1359mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
House (Smoke) (2025). Acid-dyed and quilted linen-cotton. 1207mm x 1460mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Eternal (Gag) (2025). Watercolour on paper. 296mm x 416mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Eternal (Gag) (2025) (detail). Watercolour on paper. 296mm x 416mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Mirror (2025). Watercolour on paper. 296mm x 378mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
One (Two) (2025). Watercolour on paper. 296mm x 324mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
One (Two) (2025) (detail). Watercolour on paper. 296mm x 324mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
The Dirt (Do You Have Any Idea?) (2025). Watercolour on paper. 296mm x 354mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
The Dirt (Do You Have Any Idea?) (2025) (detail). Watercolour on paper. 296mm x 354mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
What should I be hearing (2025) (detail). Watercolour on paper. 296mm x 375mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Hole (Monolith) (2025) (detail). Acid-dyed and quilted linen-cotton. 1090mm x 1420mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
Hole (Monolith) (2025) (detail). Acid-dyed and quilted linen-cotton. 1090mm x 1420mm. Exhibition view: I can’t shake the stranger out of you, Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki, Ōtautahi (2025). Photo: Owen Spargo.
I can’t shake the stranger out of you (2025) (working details). Photos: Matavai Taulangau.
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Read exhibition essay
View exhibition room sheet