‘And The Stars Came Out’ solo exhibition at Creative Space, Curl Curl
I'm so excited to invite you to my 11th solo exhibition, And The Stars Came Out. which explores our spiritual connection to nature using woven sculpture to access the visceral and organic landscapes of spirit within nature.
Step into a world of breathtaking woven sculptures in my latest solo exhibition, And The Stars Came Out. This stunning collection of unique, handwoven pieces transforms foraged vines and recycled metal wire into mesmerising, organic forms that evoke the rhythm and spirit of nature.
Using the ancient basketry technique of looping, the sculptures are both intricate and powerful, revealing the unseen connections between landscape, spirit, and human experience. Each piece tells a story—one shaped by nature’s own patterns and masterful craftsmanship.
Handwoven from foraged vines and recycled metal wire, each piece is a masterful expression of texture, movement, and harmony. The sculptural forms bring a sense of serenity, warmth, and refined craftsmanship into contemporary spaces.
Immerse yourself in this extraordinary exhibition, where art and nature merge to form captivating, one-of-a-kind sculptures that transcend the ordinary. Don't miss the chance to witness these remarkable works and experience the magic of woven artistry.
- Bespoke Artistry – Each sculpture is one-of-a-kind, offering exclusivity and artistic integrity.
- Organic Sophistication – Handwoven textures complement modern, minimalist, and biophilic interior styles.
- Timeless Statement Pieces – Elevate residential and commercial spaces with art that captivates.
- Sustainable Luxury – Crafted from natural and recycled materials, merging high-end design with eco-conscious values.
- Serene, Nature-Inspired Aesthetics – Infuse spaces with the harmony and rhythm found in the natural world.
‘And The Stars Came Out’ solo exhibition at Creative Space, Curl Curl
Exhibition details:
Date: 6 – 16 March 2025
Where: Creative Space, 105 Abbott Rd Curl Curl
Times: Thursday – Sunday 10am-4pm
https://youtube.com/shorts/PSiyy4FXeUk?si=0zg6HM37IGCg1VdR
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Forage: symbiotic (trans)formation
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Forage: symbiotic (trans)formations, 15 February – 13 April 2025
Through foraging natural materials, eight east coast metro and regional artists transform, preserve and reinterpret nature’s ephemera in pursuit of capturing our human-enviro symbiosis.
Featuring Alyson Bell, Katherine Boland, Heather Burness, Katie Harris-MacLeod, Catriona Pollard, Rhonda Pryor, Jo Victoria and the late Liz Williamson. Curated by Nicole Wallace
Exhibition Opening Friday 14 February 6 – 8 pm To be opened by: Cr Mark Greenhill OAM, Mayor, City of the Blue Mountains
“Catriona Pollard will present several woven masterpieces, utilising foraged vines and other materials. Catriona adopts two main basketry techniques in her practice – random weaving and looping: ‘Her unique sculptural work offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and vines into stunning works that celebrate the abundance of nature. She uses foraged and discarded plant material with traditional basketry techniques.’”
Artist Talk:
Sydney Road Gallery - The Gang Is back
Sydney Road Gallery - The original members of SRG have a group show. 7 -21 February. Opening event Saturday 9 February 2-4pm. Sydney Road Gallery, 451 Sydney Road Balgowlah, Open Thurs - Sat 10am - 4pm + Sun 10am-2pm.
Random Weave Sculptures Workshops - Mosman, Katoomba, Cronulla, Newcastle, Kendall
Join me for these Random Weave Sculptures workshops.
Join this fun filled day workshop with weaving expert Catriona Pollard and learn the random weave basketry technique using the wonderful Bangalow Palm inflorescence. The basketry workshop is all about exploration and play – not perfection. Experience and explore sculptural basketry techniques and learn how to create something from found organic material just using your hands and imagination. A full day workshop so you can make and finish a beautiful work of art! By the end of this course, not only will you have gorgeous baskets or wall sculpture, but you will be confident in this basketry technique.
Mosman – SUNDAY 9 February 2025 – Random Weave Sculptures, Mosman, Sydney
Katoomba – SUNDAY 16 February 2025 – Random Weave Sculptures, Mosman, Sydney
Gosford – SUNDAY 23 February 2025 – Random Weave Sculptures, GOSFORD, Central Coast
Cronulla – SUNDAY 2 March 2025 – Random Weave Sculptures, Cronulla, Sydney
Newcastle – SUNDAY 23 March 2025 – Random Weave Sculptures, Newcastle, Sydney
Kendall – SUNDAY 30 March 2025 – Random Weave Sculptures, KENDALL, near Port Macquarie
Join this fun filled all day workshop with weaving expert Catriona Pollard and learn the random weave basketry technique using the wonderful Bangalow Palm inflorescence. The basketry workshop is all about exploration and play – not perfection. Experience and explore sculptural basketry techniques and learn how to create something from found organic material just using your hands and imagination. A full day workshop so you can make and finish a beautiful work of art! By the end of this course, not only will you have gorgeous baskets or wall sculpture, but you will be confident in this basketry technique.
It’s a small class so you get hands-on tuition from expert weaver, Catriona Pollard. Materials included, but if you have access to Bangalow Palm inflorescence then bring it along. Once booked, I’ll give you preparation notes.
Suitable for beginners, or intermediate weavers. If you’ve never done weaving before – perfect! You’ll love it and leave with finished a basket or sculpture.
This course is for you if:
- You want to learn the ancient basketry technique of random weaving, but don’t know where to start.
- You don’t have any experience or want to further develop your weaving.
- You’re looking for a fun, relaxing creative outlet, and an enjoyable way to spend your downtime.
COVID safe practices in place. Masks are no longer compulsory, however it is your choice if you wear a mask during the workshop. If you have a cold/flu or cough please wear a mask.
“A joyous experience. I highly recommend it. Thank you for your kindness, care, instruction, guidance and creativity. Such a wonderful day.” Lynne
“Thank you for your fantastic workshop on Sunday. I have been fortunate enough to find myself collecting and connecting to nature yesterday and this morning. May it stay that way. I love looking at my little sculptural ‘basket’ – it’s colours are changing and it’s just magical – it makes me happy. I feel more centered. Such a gift – thank you again. Kim
“I had a wonderful day creating, learning new skills, using natural elements and sitting chatting with like-minded women. What a gift to be able to take time out with Catriona guiding us enthusiastically and nurturing our new skills and self-belief. Thanks heaps Catriona.” Robin
Catriona Pollard – Basketry artist and teacher
Catriona Pollard is a contemporary artist who uses traditional basketry techniques to transform foraged plant fibres into organic sculptural works. Her 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. Engaging audiences to build creative connection with the natural world is a fundamental part of her art practice and her teaching. By transforming organic material into sculptures, she presents an opportunity to be enchanted by the natural world and the stories it shares.
Through her sculptures, she uses nature as a way to connect with people that goes beyond physical beauty, but touches them in a personal and profound way. Ultimately aiming to reignite people’s relationship with nature for the wellbeing of both the human and more than human worlds.
She exhibits extensively in solo exhibitions, selected and group exhibitions. She has been a finalist in many art awards including 2023 International Art Textile Biennale, National Capital Art Prize, Environmental Art & Design Award (Awarded Highly Commended 2022), North Sydney Art Prize, Australian Fibre Arts Award, Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, Northern Beaches Art Prize Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW and Mosman Art Gallery.
Her artwork is profiled across major art and design media and is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces and private collections. Watch her talk about her art at ABC TV and Gardening Australia and read in the feature in Good Weekend, SMH/The Age. She is profiled in the Book: Woven Together: Weavers and Their Stories (Gingko Press). See the new section for more talks and media.
As a dedicated professional educator, she holds sold out sculptural basketry weaving workshops in Australia and internationally and teaches for design and craft centres. She holds demonstrations for organisations including Museums, and gives artist talks at galleries and community groups. She also established the online SchoolofBasketryArt.com with students from around the world.
Read more about at www.theartofweaving.com.au/about
Cancellations: 100% refund if you cancel 14 days before (less CC fee). No refunds after 14 days before (You are welcome to transfer your ticket to someone else). After that date if there is a waiting list (not guaranteed) and someone can fill your spot then happy to refund you. All refunds are less the 0.026% processing fee. 100% refund if I have to cancel for an unforeseen circumstance.
Northern Beaches Gallery Art Prize
I'm so thrilled at Water Spirit has been selected for the Northern Beaches Gallery Art Prize. Finalist exhibition on until 30 November 2024.
Award - USA National Basketry Association
I'm so thrilled that Waterfall in the Stars has been selected for an Award in the Every 1 2024 Exhibition with National Basketry Association . The Award is the “Ephemeral” – explores the transient nature of basketry.
Catriona Pollard, Waterfall in the Stars
More information at https://nationalbasketry.org/exhibitions/every-1-2024
Urunga Small Sculpture Prize Winner
I'm so happy that Silenced Voices has been selected as second prize winner in the 2024 Urunga Small Sculpture Prize.
Sound is silenced when the air is removed from a bell jar. This sculpture represents how a bell jar is placed over women’s voices by politicians, police, and the media when we raise our voices for action to address violence against women. It’s a call to shatter the bell jar so voices are no longer silenced - let them soar, unbound, unheard no more. It’s woven using intricate and complex weaving techniques that create repetitive patterns using recycled copper electrical wire - painstakingly unwound from an electricity power line.
Urunga Small Sculpture Prize, The Art Space, 13 Bonville St, Urunga NSW
14 September - 12 October 2024
Gosford Art Prize Finalist
I'm so thrilled that my sculpture The Story of the Waterdrop and the River was selected for the Gosford Art Prize.
It was a very challenging weave and I wanted to tell an important story. Growing up by the river in central NSW, it felt like a character in the story of my life and to this day bodies of water remain sacred to me. I seek them out. When I was on the Whanganui River in New Zealand, I learned that it was the first river to be recognised as a living, indivisible whole with legal personhood (after advocacy by the Whanganui iwi). Where I grew up, the river was seen as a resource that served economic growth. Any protection measures were from the human perspective – managing the flow for crops and water saving in times of drought. This sculpture represents that we need to change this narrative. The new story is understanding that rivers are sentient beings that have inherent rights and intrinsic value. Protecting and conserving them, not only for our benefit but in acknowledgment of their inherent rights to exist and flourish.
Materials: Recycled copper electrical wire, Five Leaf Water Vine (invasive species), linen thread
On until 20 October, Gosford Regional Gallery, Webb St, Gosford. It looks so stunning on a dark wall.
‘Where Stars Walk Upon The Mountain Top’ exhibition at Sidespace Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart
‘Where Stars Walk Upon The Mountain Top’ exhibition at Sidespace Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart
Contemporary fibre artist, Catriona Pollard’s tenth solo exhibition ‘Where Stars Walk Upon The Mountain Top’ explores our spiritual connection to nature using woven sculpture to access the visceral and organic landscapes of spirit within nature.
The sculptures of foraged vines and recycled metal wire references the ancient basketry technique of looping that has been used across human cultures for tens of thousands of years. The looping creates patterns and a harmonious rhythm that the artist witnesses in nature.
The exhibition explores how the invisible, non-material realm can uncover the psyche of our place in the landscape, with the objective of reaching beyond the human narrative of the landscape.
By sharing dialogue with the materials and allowing them to inform the narrative of the artwork, it means that stories are formed and shared from the landscape in transformational ways – in a language that provides new meanings and relationships with spirit, nature, humans, and the landscape – and the interconnectedness of all.
Catriona is the Salamanca Arts Centre Artist in Resident during October.
Exhibition details:
Date: 3-13 October 2024
Times: Thursday – Sunday 11am– 4pm
Where: Sidespace Gallery, Salamanca Arts Centre, 65-77 Salamanca Place, Hobart 7000
WORKSHOP:
In conjunction with this exhibition, join Catriona at basketry weaking workshop - a two day workshop (or you can choose single days) - 6 & 13 October 2024 Click here for more information.
