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.

Art From Trash Tasmania

I have just returned from a very cold Tasmania. When I found Art from Trash on the internet I knew it was right up my alley. I had just finished my dress made out of ring pulls and I always think it is better to have them on display so that they can inspire others rather than have my pieces sit at home.
When I arrived to drop of my dress I was impressed by the size of the gallery and the standard of work. I also love that children are able to participate and exhibit. Children are so much freer in their expression. I can see the passion of the organisers in how it all turned out.

Opening night was jam packed and drink and food all seems to run out which is always a good sign of a well attended event. On the night they had a contest for the best 'trashy dresser'. In this case it was for an outfit made from recycled items and I won with my dress made from spoons, shade cloth, newspaper and mosquito net. My son also walked away with a prize for his crocodile artwork. 

Our prizes were vouchers for the local Tip Shop. The kids and I loved shopping from there. I couldnt believe how much we got for such a small amount of money. I chose many things that will contribute to making my next artwork.

Of course no trip to Tasmania is complete without a visit to Mona which we all thoroughly enjoyed. I had to laugh when I found accessories made from ring pulls for sale in the shop. They would have gone well with my dress. I hope to return to Tasmania next year with some of my sculptures.

Warringah Council Dee Why Art Bombing

Some time ago Warringah council asked people to submit ideas to 'art bomb' the Dee Why area. It had to be something relevant to the local area but it could be anything from a guerilla garden to a light display to public artworks of any kind. The council was offering 5 artists $1000 each to create such a piece.

I was lucky enough to be one of the 5 selected. My piece aims to connect the local environment and metropolitan and relaxed culture of our suburb. The 4 other artworks are being installed this week. You can see mine light up at night also. For more information on locations and other details visit  http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/your-council/plans-publications-and-policies/publications/council-news/art-bomb

Sculptures in the Bush and La Lune

Its great when the local council encourages art in the local community. I heard one Councillor say that Warringah Council recognises that there is more than just sport to support in the local area. As important as sport is in people lives art is important too. The council wanted to do a Sculpture by the Sea type of exhibition but never had the budget for it then La Lune was born. It is a night exhibition of energy producing art. What a great idea! This exhibition really brought the crowds and I felt very encouraged by that. I spoke to curator Alan Giddy about having more local artists in the exhibition if they do it again and was encouraged by his positive response. Im sure they have learnt a lot from running it this year.

On the same day I was lucky enough to participate in Bush Sculptures at Stony Range. The beautiful surrounds and excellent art made for a wonderful art exhibition. Bush Sculptures was curated by artist Maria Romeo and I think she did an amazing job with a total of a whopping 32 artworks involved. It is amazing that so many locals have never walked through Stony Range before. It is quite hidden and and a surprise that this beautiful oasis is right next to a main road. It is still on today so go and pay it a visit. They also have craft activities for kids and a bush tucker talk all for free.