Alison Mudie
Vespers of the Vape

reconfigured vape casings, feltboard backing
41x 63 x 6cm

Vapes come in brightly coloured, anodised casings designed to appeal to young users. But inside vapes are nasty nicotine-juiced filters and flammable plastic wrapped lithium batteries. If disassembled, each component could potentially be recycled. Sadly however, vapes get chucked out, polluting waterways and creating landfill. Despite being banned in Australia there is a buoyant black market for these candy flavoured harm-inducing smoke factories. Tobacconists, 7-Eleven and corner store owners now hide their illegally imported vapes under the counter, away from police. But kids and adults, especially young adults know where to get them. This work speaks to worshipping at the altar of the vape. Users are happy to admit their addiction to vaping – it almost comes with a badge of honour among a swirl of smoke and mirrors, 'At least I’m not smoking…' This iconic assemblage of vape casings were found in the environment or accrued from vape users.