Finalist in the Environmental Art & Design Prize 2021
I'm thrilled that my sculpture Reservoir of Hope is a finalist in the Environmental Art & Design Prize 2021. See it at Manly Art Gallery & Museum until Sunday, 12 December 2021 - 5:00pm.
The finalist exhibition is a cross-disciplinary exhibition of selected works by artists and designers across the country who are engaged with the natural world, environmental renewal, regeneration and the circular economy. In its inaugural year, the award celebrates contemporary art and design practices that are socially engaged, environmentally aware and that seek to contribute to positive change.
Reservoir of Hope
Over scorched earth and blackened waterways sits a precariously balanced Reservoir of Hope. An emblem for the future. The bushfires and floods touched me personally and resulted in the reflection that the constant stream of terrifying images and dire predictions disengages and generates a sense of despair. It immobilises people with hopelessness.
Using crushed copper house guttering placed into a bushfire, wood foraged from a bushfire and recycled electrical copper wire, Reservoir of Hope represents the concept that we have reservoirs of hope – stores of an emotion that can be used to envision our future. In times of crisis – planetary or personal – we can access it to amplify positivity and action into the situation.
Hope allows us to want to do right by the world and feel responsibility for conserving nature and recognising the interdependence between the welfare of humans and the more than human world.
Size: 60 h 42 w 36d, Recycled copper, wood.
Solo exhibition: The Volume of Hope – a meditation on nature and hope
My seventh solo exhibition ‘The Volume of Hope’ explores the relationship between nature and hope. Tapping into the energy of nature, the new body of sculptural artwork is a meditation on the natural world exploring its ability to generate hope.
By sharing the dialogue with natural materials and allowing them to inform the narrative, the artworks address our relationship with nature and its tangible impact on hope, with the ultimate aim of moving people closer to hope for the wellbeing of all – both human and the more than human world.
Running from 11-21 November 2021 at Eramboo Artist Environment, Terrey Hills, the new body of work is the culmination of the awarded 2021 Northern Beaches Art Residency. It includes sculptures using traditional basketry techniques with foraged and discarded plant material, recycled copper, paper and moving image.
“It’s the wonder of nature which people flocked to during the COVID lockdown seeking that powerful link between hope and nature. It seems like never before has it been so necessary to search out and rely on hope.”
“Encountering nature – listening to the wind in the trees, smelling the earth, tasting the rain, watching an ant walk across a rock – increases hope directly as it intrinsically demonstrates the interconnectedness of all things.”
“This sense of connectedness and appreciation of the more than human world is an essential source of hope. It links us to future possibilities and to the greater living world around us and the sense of wonder and joy that only nature can provide.”
“Hope also inspires responsibility for conserving the more than human world and recognising the interdependence between the welfare of humans and the natural world.”
Exhibition details:
When: 11-21 November 2021
Opening afternoon: Sunday 14 November 2021, 2 - 4pm
Times: 10am - 4:00pm
Location: Eramboo Artist Environment, 304 McCarrs Creek Rd, Terrey Hills
ABOUT:
Catriona Pollard has established a reputation as a distinctive fibre artist who uses traditional basketry techniques to transform foraged plant fibres into sculptural works. She uses the process of observing 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 themselves in harmony with it.
Ms Pollard was awarded the 2021 Northern Beaches Artist in Residency, has exhibited extensively in selected and group exhibitions and has been shortlisted in art awards including Environmental Art & Design Awards, Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW, Northern Beaches Art Prize, North Sydney Art Prize, Warringah Art Prize, Little Things Art Prize and Mosman Art Gallery.
Creative Toolkit: How to reach your audience
I'm presenting with the Northern Beaches Council:
Join artist, communications specialist and author of From Unknown to Expert, Catriona Pollard for this online Creative Toolkit focused on developing strong artistic profiles, reaching audiences and creating your own opportunities.
Australian Fibre Art Awards
So thrilled to be a finalist in the inaugural Australian Fibre Art Awards with this work 'It's The Pauses That Are the Sweetest'. The works in this award are incredible, I'm so honoured to have been included.
To walk through the exhibition:
https://youtu.be/XHj7N3BZAMo
The Volume of Hope Body of Work Video
This video is a wonderful capture of my Residency at the Northern Beaches.
Filmed by Northern Beaches Council and Kayapa.
Sydney Living Museums - Artisans Encounters
I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Sydney Living Museums in their Artisans Encounters project which was about celebrating contemporary artisans working across craft, food and trades and who embrace traditional crafts presenting them in innovative and exciting ways.
Focusing on goods produced by non-industrialised methods, often handed down through generations but now in danger of being lost, Artisan Encounters encourages discussion and conversation around old and new, past and present, place and provenance.
Rekindling Your Creative Spirit Talk
I had a wonderful conversation with Anna Kellerman from Mama Creatives about my journey to finding my art form and my approach to having a dedicated and purposeful creative life.
Watch it by clicking on the image or click here.
Good Weekend - beautiful article on my basketry
This is such a beautifully written article by Stephanie Wood in the Good Weekend - the magazine published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Age and Brisbane Times. She attended one of my workshops and shared her experience as well as writing about basketry as an contemporary art practice.
Weaving Retreat – 4 Days of Weaving, Sydney, 9-12 September 2021
This is the first time I’ve held this 4 day weaving retreat in Sydney! Don’t miss it.
Join me at the beautiful Eramboo Artist Environment, Northern Beaches of Sydney. Set on 6 acres of bushland adjacent to Ku-ring-gai National Park.
Thursday 17 February – Sunday 20 February 2021 10am - 4pm daily. This is a non residential retreat.
Limited to only 12 spots - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL.
"I was lucky enough to attend Catriona’s 4 day workshop at the Pilot Station in Camden Head. It was truly a blessing to have four full days of creativity being guided and taught by someone who is so talented and inspiring. I learnt a lot, laughed a lot and it felt so good to be part of such a like minded and creative group. It was a special four days that I will not forget in a hurry." Allison
.....
"Thank You Catriona for the 4 day Random Weave and Sculptural Workshop. This workshop had boosted my confidence and creativity and had taught me practical techniques that I can apply in a myriad of ways. My basketry skills have escalated since doing your workshop! I loved the way you scaffolded each skill we learnt with your teaching style this made the progress smooth and achievable! Thank you also for your encouragement, reassurance and support." Lea
Taping into your creativity, we will be exploring traditional basketry with a sculptural perspective. This workshop is so much more than just learning techniques, it’s an opportunity to connect with nature, your stories and tap into powerful creativity that is ready to surface.
You will be learning and exploring my favourite basketry techniques including:
- random weaving with vines or long leafy plants
- twining
- looping
- using materials including seagrass, twine and foraged natural fibres.
By the end of this course you will be confident in multiple basketry techniques.
You will complete a series of sculptural forms culminating in your very own sculpture using the techniques we’ve explored and materials that you’ve foraged as well as class materials.
Learning at your own pace, in this hands on, practical workshop is all about exploration and experimentation not perfection. While learning basketry techniques, you will be reconnecting with your imagination and creativity.
It’s a small class so you get hands-on tuition from expert weaver, Catriona Pollard.
Suitable for beginners, or intermediate weavers. If you’ve never done weaving before – perfect! You’ll love it and leave with finished basketry sculptures and the confidence to do more.
This course is for you if:
- You want to learn multiple basketry techniques.
- 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.
- You deserve the gift of four days of dedicated weaving with a group of lovely people.
Catriona Pollard – Basketry artist and teacher
Currently the Northern Beaches Artist in Residence, Catriona is a practicing basketry artist and teacher, her unique sculptural work offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into stunning works that celebrate the abundance of nature.
She uses foraged and discarded plant material with traditional basketry and assemblage techniques to reimagine nature.
Her art is about truly seeing the extraordinary in everyday moments. Simply, it’s about being still, and letting the beauty surface.
She has had several solo exhibitions and exhibited extensively in selected and group exhibitions. She’s been finalist in many 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.
She teaches sold out workshops in her studio in Sydney, week long residentials at art schools and also internationally.
Her artwork is profiled across major art and design media and is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces and private collections. Read more about at www.theartofweaving.com.au/about
Cancellations: 100% refund if you cancel before 17 November 2021. 50% refund if you cancel by 17 January 2022. No refunds after 17 January 2022. If there is a person that can fill your spot from the waiting list then happy to refund you in full. All refunds are less the 0.026% processing fee. 100% refund if I have to cancel for an unforeseen circumstance.
Materials: On booking I’ll send you a list of suggested materials to bring.
This is a non residential retreat.
Thursday 17 February – Sunday 20 February 2021 10am - 4pm daily.
Venue: Eramboo Artist Environment, McCarrs Creek Road, Terrey Hills, Northern Beaches Sydney. 15 minutes from Narrabeen, 40 minutes from Sydney CBD
Cost: $625 + $80 for materials
Images are of works completed by students. Image in product image is work by Natalie K.
