Being In Balance Exhibition - Bathers' Pavilion, Balmoral
I will unveil my new body of work at the Bathers’ Pavilion in a duo exhibition with Tracy Dickason titled ‘Being In Balance’ which showcases the art of slow making and connection. This body of work was largely made during my art residency at BiCI (Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives) in December 2020.
Running from 3 March 2021, with the official opening 8 March, the artworks explore the mindful connection on the balance of self and place in our community.
The past year has highlighted the outcomes that slowing down creates such as the importance of how we see ourselves in the local community and also how our actions can influence the global community.
The exhibition is a call for us to all slow down and fall in love again with the world around us and see that we are bound by nature and community to claim its place in our heart.
Exhibition details:
When: 3 March – end of April 2021
Official opening: 6-8pm, 8 March 2021, RSVP essential: https://events.humanitix.com/being-in-balance
Where: Upstairs, Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral
Cost: Free
Gallery hours: Open 7 days, 7am – 10pm
Awarded the 2021 Northern Beaches Artist in Residence
I'm so thrilled to be awarded the 2021 Northern Beaches Artists in Residence. Once a year, they invite artists and creatives to apply for residency opportunities through the Northern Beaches Artist Residency Program
Sydney Northern Beaches Council and Eramboo Artist Environment have partnered together to provide the six-month artist residency, in an inspirational bushland environment, for an artist to develop a new body of work or a site responsive creative project. My work will be around the connection of hope and nature, and am being funded to create a body of work relating to this.
I have been provided a studio in an inspirational studio environment at Eramboo Artist Environment, rent-free, and have a rare opportunity to experiment, express my artistic vision. It is in Terrey Hills, adjacent to the Ku-ring-gai National Park means I can connect to nature directly.
I feel like it’s a ‘room of one’s own’ moment. Through six solo exhibitions, countless group and selected exhibitions ... I’ve used my kitchen floor, balcony, lounge room floor, dining table, garage, my desk in the office. Now I can close the door at the end of the day and know I can come back to my work in progress and I don’t have to step over it or eat dinner next to it.
The exhibition will be in 6 - 15 August 2021.
Featured in international weaving book
Woven Together Weavers and Their Stories profiles 24 weavers from around the world including me!! It's such a lovely book and I'm so honoured to be included.
It’s wonderful to have an international publisher, Sandu Publishing, to profile handmade and slow craft. Weaving, as a traditional technique of interlacing yarns or fiber, has a long history and has been given many forms over the years. This book invites 24 DIYers, designers, artists, and craftsmen to talk about their weaving stories. These projects are diverse, from traditional basket weaving in eastern Asia, woven wall hangings made by self-taught craftspeople, to artistic pieces done by designers and artists.
Readers are able to look into the production process and detailed patterns of these projects. Featured projects include: Bamboo, grass, and rattan weaving; DIY textile weaving, such as wall hangings, rugs, and home decorations; artistic installations.
Available in book stores and online.
Amazing ABC TV story
I was interviewed by ABC journalist's Wiriya Sati and Emma Siossian about my weaving and teaching. Its a wonderful video and article. Watch and read it here.
Solo Exhibition: Circle Me
I hope you can make my next solo exhibition:
Exhibition details:
When: 9-22 November 2019
Meet The Artist: Saturday 9 November 1 - 4pm
Times: Wednesday – Saturday 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location: ME Art Space, TWT St Leonard's Creative Precinct, 25 Atchison St, St Leonards NSW 2065
Sculptural exhibition of foraged and discarded plants explores the concept of the circle form
Celebrated Sydney fibre artist Catriona Pollard’s sixth solo exhibition ‘Circle Me’ offers stunning works of sculptural basketry and assemblage works that is an exploration of the circle form.
Running from 9 – 23 November at Me Art Space, St Leonards, the sculptures are made from foraged plant material, and through the observation and interaction with nature Ms Pollard has developed works for this exhibition that explore the interplay of one circle onto another one.
“In this body of work, I’m exploring different forms of the circle to invite the viewer to step inside the circle and experience interconnectedness and explore the expansiveness of the cycles in time, life and nature,” said Ms Pollard.
“We see circles all around us and the form is both the circle and the centre. Through the sculptures I’m beckoning the observer to experience whatever symbolic message it may hold for them.”
“For me, the circle represents the infinite nature of energy. It’s the sun, the moon and the stars. It’s never ending and brings life to us all. The energy is continuous,” said Ms Pollard.
Ms Pollard uses the process of exploring nature to inspire her, and the work offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into shapes that celebrate the abundance of nature.
By transforming organic material into sculptures, she is investigating the battle humans have between controlling nature and seeing ourselves in harmony with it.
Through this reinterpretation of nature, her work offers up the concept that we should actively see nature as part of us rather than simply an object that has no meaning or spirit. This investigation also leads to a reflection on our inner landscape and questioning control versus harmony within our lives.
Ms Pollard has exhibited extensively in selected and group exhibitions and has been shortlisted in art awards including Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW, Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, Northern Beaches Art Prize, North Sydney Art Prize, Warringah Art Prize, Little Things Art Prize and Mosman Art Gallery.
Exhibition details:
When: 9-22 November 2019
Meet The Artist: Saturday 9 November 1 - 4pm
Times: Wednesday – Saturday 11:00am - 4:00pm
Location: ME Art Space, TWT St Leonard's Creative Precinct, 25 Atchison St, St Leonards NSW 2065
About Catriona Pollard
Catriona Pollard’s unique sculptural work offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into works that investigate human’s personal connection with the natural world.
Her sculptural abstracts use foraged and discarded plant material with traditional basketry and assemblage techniques.
By transforming organic material into sculptures, she is investigating the battle humans have between controlling nature and seeing ourselves in harmony with it.
Through this reinterpretation of nature, her work offers up the concept that we should actively see nature as part of us rather than simply an object that has no meaning or spirit. This investigation also leads to a reflection on our inner landscape and questioning control versus harmony within our lives.
Catriona Pollard’s unique sculptural work uses foraged and discarded plant material with traditional basketry and assemblage techniques to showcase nature and the beauty it shares with us. Her work is emotionally authentic, uniquely contemporary, and visually stunning.
She uses nature as a way to connect with people that goes beyond physical beauty, but touches them in a personal and profound way. Transforming discarded organic material into sculptures forces people to view the natural world around them in a different way.
Catriona Pollard has exhibited extensively in selected and group exhibitions and she has been shortlisted as many art awards including Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW, finalist Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, Northern Beaches Art Prize, North Sydney Art Prize, Warringah Art Prize, Little Things Art Prize and Mosman Art Gallery.
Her work is profiled across major art and design media and is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces and private collections. www.theartofweaving.com.au
Listen to this podcast
I had a wonderful chat with Stacey Peterson on the Thrive and Survive podcast where we talked about how I created space in my life to focus on both my art and work, what my creative process is and how I stay balanced and grounded while tackling two full time jobs.
You can listen to the podcast here:
Little Things Art Prize for ‘Pockets of Stardust’
So excited to be named at Finalist in the Little Things Art Prize for ‘Pockets of Stardust’.
Little Things Art Prize was founded by Marnie Ross in 2015 and it hosted by Saint Cloche gallery in Paddington, Sydney. Artists were invited to submit creative expressions of the ‘Little Things’ that make them happy or feel grateful.
I weave these little treasures when I’m traveling. Woven using paper string (the most easy of my material to get through customs!) on a canvas layered with charcoal. They express the joyful experiences that only travel can bring and remind us to see the extraordinary in everyday moments.
Finalist exhibition opening today at Saint Cloche until 8 September.
Solo Exhibition - Falling Into Longing, Sydney Road Gallery
I'm so excited to feature new works in my upcoming solo exhibition - 'Falling Into Longing'. Hope you see you at the opening.
Exhibition details:
When: 20 June to 14 July 2019
Meet The Artist: Saturday 22 June 2019 1 - 4pm
Times: Thursday – Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm and Sunday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Sydney Road Gallery, 563 Sydney Road Seaforth NSW 2092
Sculptural exhibition of foraged and discarded plants explores the concept of longing
Celebrated Sydney fibre artist Catriona Pollard’s fifth solo exhibition ‘Falling Into Longing’ offers stunning works of sculptural basketry and assemblage works that explore the concept of longing and how we move towards our desires and the impact that has on our lives.
Running from 20 June to 14 July 2019 at Sydney Road Gallery, the sculptures are made from foraged plant material, and through the observation and interaction with nature Ms Pollard has developed works for this exhibition that explore colour, texture and organic form.
“I didn’t start exploring my artistic nature until much later in life, and when I started to uncover this hidden creativity, I realised that I had a deep and profound longing to completely fall into it – to surrender to it.” said Ms Pollard.
“I’m exploring this visually through the works in this exhibition, and asking the question, what would happen if we acted on our longings?”
Ms Pollard uses the process of exploring nature to inspire her, and the work offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into shapes that celebrate the abundance of nature.
Through reinterpreting nature, her work highlights a deep connection with the natural world, the sculptures offer up the idea that we should see nature as part of us rather than simply an object that has no meaning or spirit. And to see ourselves in harmony with the natural world around us.
“My work transforms the inherent beauty of nature into moments that encourage reflection and connection. Nature plays an important part of helping us become fully aware of who we are. It inspires expansion and reignites an ancient connection,” said Ms Pollard.
Ms Pollard has exhibited extensively in selected and group exhibitions and has been shortlisted in art awards including Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW, Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, Northern Beaches Art Prize, North Sydney Art Prize, Warringah Art Prize, and Mosman Art Gallery.
Her work highlights the link between raw foraged organic materials, like vines and seed pods, with earthy materials like base metals including copper, and natural elements like charcoal and clay.
Exhibition details:
When: 20 June to 14 July 2019
Meet The Artist: Saturday 22 June 2019 1 - 4pm
Times: Thursday – Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm and Sunday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Sydney Road Gallery, 563 Sydney Road Seaforth NSW 2092
Catriona Pollard
About Catriona Pollard
Catriona Pollard’s unique sculptural work uses foraged and discarded plant material with traditional basketry and assemblage techniques to showcase nature and the beauty it shares with us. Her work is emotionally authentic, uniquely contemporary, and visually stunning.
She uses nature as a way to connect with people that goes beyond physical beauty, but touches them in a personal and profound way. Transforming discarded organic material into sculptures forces people to view the natural world around them in a different way.
It adds a layer of wonder and contemplative engagement, and can also lead to a reflection on our inner landscape and the question of what would happen if we saw aspects of our lives in different ways.
The forms she weaves tell stories relating to friends, family and experiences. They are about truly seeing the extraordinary in everyday moments. Simply, it’s about being still, and letting the beauty surface.
Catriona Pollard has exhibited extensively in selected and group exhibitions and she has been shortlisted as many art awards including Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW, finalist Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, Northern Beaches Art Prize, North Sydney Art Prize, Warringah Art Prize, and Mosman Art Gallery.
Her work is profiled across major art and design media and is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces and private collections. www.theartofweaving.com.au