During Studio A's collaboration with Cement Fondu for Magical Putt Putt, Thom Roberts and Studio A guest artist Brayden Gifford took over the expansive backspace of Cement Fondu, transforming it into Courthouse Cats.
For this immersive installation, Thom Roberts presented a four-walled, four-channelled animation of a courthouse reimagined as a tennis court. Within it, an animated Thom acted as the 'defendant champion', locked in a gripping match against angry police officers while a jury of 'courthouse cats' cheered them on.
Thom used animation to truly bring this fictional scenario to life, with the officers, Thom and the jury of 'courthouse cats' being depicted in Thom's unique, fantastical style and removing the intimidation you usually can't help but associate with a courtroom.
"Courtrooms are scary and tennis courts are fun. I am playing around with lawyers and police cops and security people by making them play tennis. I want everyone to play my tennis game please, while my animation cheers around you." - Thom Roberts
As the animation went on, with Thom and the officers caught in their fierce rally, participants were invited to join in on the intense action by playing on a ping pong table in the centre of the space. The table was fully customised by Thom and painted red and yellow (in honour of his favourite fast food restaurant).
Words by Sam Kalis and Photos by Jessica Maurer.
Commissioned by Cement Fondu.
Thom Roberts presented his first solo exhibition, The Immersive World of Thom Roberts, at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
