Sheepwoman

Sheepman and the Sheared (Part 7)

1973
HD Video, original 16 mm film.

Mute, colour, 12 minutes 19 seconds

Sheepwoman, the final part of the film series returns to the found footage which began the film, linked to a newly shot sequence involving a woman reading a text related to sheep. The reading alternates between synchronous and non-synchronous sound. Sub-titles appear on the image, with descriptions of the location.The permutations of sound image and word image are systematically examined.

The spoken text was edited for its descriptions of various tools, technologies and methods, avoiding all reference to the specific uses and outcomes. Into this were inserted various dictionary definitions of sheep, shearers and shearing. Judy Wilson read this cryptic piece to camera, with Gill Eatherley's voice counting down the durations….