Mosaic Garden with Reverse Garbage

Today my son and I did a mosaic workshop at Reverse Garbage with Billyara Aboriginal Art. We helped create work to contribute to the mosaic yarning circle for the nearby Yenmala Nura Garden. It was a great opportunity to learn some new skills and talk to other artists. My son particularly loved to use the tile cutter and now wants me to buy one. The mosaic circle will go where the tyre is currently in the pictures.

I love the work that Reverse Garbage does. They often run workshops with adults and children using recycled materials. I have had many opportunities to visit their shop and buy various items for my recycled art and of course I always have to purchase something for my children, Today I was lucky enough to find exactly what I needed - lids from coffee cups. This will help me finish a dress I am making which you can see in my solo exhibition in June this year.

Sculpture in the Vineyards

Over the weekend I installed my newest sculpture at Wollombi Wines for Sulpture in the Vineyards. Its a large kids shape sorter inspired of course by my young children. After months of hard work and a hard half a day installing in the heat with some help from my husband its nice to see it in this amazing environment. This is a fantastic exhibition spread over several vineyards in Wollombi. Not only can you enjoy the art but also a nice bit of wine tasting on your way around.

 I'm really excited to be part of it this year and after seeing many of the other pieces I feel I am in good company. Its been running for several years and the standard of work is very high. I love this dog made by another local artists. There are a few of us from the Northern Beaches in the exhibition. Its always great to see what other artists have come up with especially works that I haven't seen before. When you exhibit regularly you often see the same pieces popping up. I am especially looking forward to seeing the closing when there will be a night tour with some creative lighting on the art. If you get a chance to see this not to be missed exhibition let me know what you think.

Ergon Energy/ Burdekin Wearable Art Competition

On the weekend I went to Ayr near Townsville for the Burdekin Wearable Art Competition. They have the longest running festival of its type in Australia and I can see why. They have a number of events including a Mardi Gras parade, rides, stalls, art exhibitions and of course the wearable art show.
This years theme was 'Hollywood Glitz and Glam and Movie Mayhem.' It just so happened that I had a dress that fit perfectly with this theme made from shade cloth and nearly 2000 ring pulls. Its looks like something can could fit well on the red carpet.

They have an accessories competition also and the night was full of colour, light and fun. 

The night started with the Madri Gras parade, some musical performers and then came the competition. I was lucky enough to have received second place and look forward to returning next year. A big thank you to Sandi Milani who was the event organiser but went over and above to help me out.

Spring Discovery at Stony Range

This week I am part of the Spring Discovery exhibition at Stony Range. It is a small outdoor exhibition within a beautiful setting. It runs from the 24th August to the 30th. On the 24th there are many family friendly activities including origami with artist Midori Furze, face painting, live animals and guided walks. The amazing Maria Romeo has curated this exhibition and has 2 pieces in it. I love that Maria and other have incorporated recycled materials into their work. My piece below is made from temporary fencing/netting and metal poles. Its amazing to see things that would have been discarded turned into works of art.

Please come and pay a visit this week and be sure to thank the volunteers who do an amazing job caring for this beautiful place. What a privilege it is to exhibit here.

Sustainable Waste to Art Prize 2014

Last week I was fortunate to be selected to exhibit in the Ryde Council Sustainable Waste to Art Prize. I submitted 2 pieces. My 'Drinky Dress' and 'Edison and the Piano Man'. I was expecting my dress to be selected and not my sculptures but the opposite happened. Of course it took me months to create the dress compared to hours to create the sculpture. I love that other people can see my work in an entirely different way to me. I was surprised and excited to be awarded the Highly Commended prize in the open category and it came with a nice voucher from Eckersleys. Its lovely to be able to shop for art materials to put back into my next artwork.

It was held at Meadowbank Tafe Gallery. This is a great space for an exhibition. The works were very impressive and there were a few dresses. I was particularly impressed with the paper dress made by a young girl. I find it astounding the talent and skill of some people much younger than me.
I encourage you to pay it a visit and perhaps you will be inspired to think of your waste in a different way.

Warringah Art Exhibition

Recently I was lucky enough to be selected for the annual 'Warringah Art Exhibition'. It runs from the 18th of July to the 27th of July at If U Like Art Studios in Brookvale. The owners are very generous and I wish to thank them for hosting this exhibition and in particular always encouraging young people in their art practices.
Opening night which often falls on my birthday (the 17th) was absolutely jam packed. There are some very accomplished artists in the area such as Angela van Boxtel who created a bikini made from plastic bags and Sandy Bliim who made an 'Eco Warrior' during her time as artist in residence at Kimbriki.

I am part of a local group of artists called Art and Soul Collective. There are a number of artworks from members of Art and Soul in the exhibition and one of the members Ray Clarke received an honourable mention for his piece called 'Returned Journey' which was a boat made from scrap metal.

I enjoy the pieces that inspire me and surprise me that really tackle issues of waste in a creative way. There is still time to get there and vote for your favourite pieces in each category. My piece is 'Drink Dress' and is made from shade cloth I found on the clean up and nearly 2000 ring pulls from soda cans.  Its a great time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in Warringah were the arts are encouraged and supported.

 

Weaving Bridges Guringai Festival

Today I attended the launch of this years Weaving Bridges Sculpture at Queenscliff Surf Club which I was very happy to have been involved in. This year marks the 2nd year of Weaving Bridges and the 14th of the Guringai Festival. It was a privilege to have Indigenous Australians present as part of the weaving and todays launch. We were treated to some beautiful music, a smoking ceremony and morning tea. Some wise words were spoken this morning about how we are all connected.

Around 150 people participated in workshops to create weavings which were assembled to create 3 amazing whale sculptures. The base of these were welded by artist Maria Romeo. I completed 3 weavings which all ended up on one of the whales. You can see these whales as they tour around the beaches over the next couple of months. Its great to Manly and Warringah Council working together on this project.