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
Workshop: The Art of Twining
ANCIENT BASKETRY ART OF TWINING
16 June 2019 10am - 4pm
Where: Catriona Pollard Artist Showroom, Level 1, 4 Young St Neutral Bay
Cost: $195 inc GST and materials
Having spent hundreds - if not thousands of hours twining so many different types of materials, I just love twining. It's my go to basketry technique where ever I am - on the train from Rome to Florence, sitting on the beach or in front of TV. It's one of those techniques that once you've learnt the fundamentals, you can apply to so many materials, forms, baskets and sculptures.
In this basketry workshop, learn the ancient basketry technique of twining using beautiful polished hemp. You'll learn how to twine and also how to add in to create patterns. During this full-day basketry workshop, there will be time to explore this beautiful weaving technique. Over the day we will be making two small baskets so you will leave confident in the technique, and how to start and do multiple finishes. It's a small class so you get hands-on tuition from an expert. All materials included.
Suitable for beginners, or intermediate weavers. (If you've never done weaving before - perfect! You'll love it and leave with finished baskets).
Workshop: RANDOM WEAVE SCULPTURES
WORKSHOP: RANDOM WEAVE SCULPTURES
19 May 10am - 3pm
Where: Catriona Pollard Artist Showroom, Level 1, 4 Young St Neutral Bay
Cost: $195 inc GST and materials
Learn the random weave basketry technique using the wonderful Bangalow Palm inflorescence. The 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.
It's a small class so you get hands-on tuition from an expert. 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 baskets).
Visit me at The Other Art Fair with complimentary tickets
COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS to The Other Art Fair Sydney
I'm excited to be selected for The Other Art Fair in Sydney 14-17 March 2019. It showcases a variety of works that span all mediums and the 120 contemporary artists have been hand-picked by a committee of art industry experts.
I have been given 100 free tickets, so I thought I'd share them with you!
For your complimentary ticket (usually $30) go to sydney.theotherartfair.com/tickets and use the code TOAF2019. ❤️
Hope you see you there.
‘From The Landscape’ - exhibition at Art Gallery on Darling, Balmain
Contemporary exhibition celebrates connection to nature through an evocative reimagination of Australian landscapes
Art Gallery on Darling presents a new exhibition ‘From The Landscape’ showcasing works from celebrated artists Vanessa Ashcroft and Catriona Pollard, opening on 18 October 2018 in Balmain.
Running from 18 October – 21 October 2018, the exhibition features a collection of pieces that work in synergy to explore the relationship and connection with the natural world. Ms Ashcroft’s evocative landscapes and Pollard’s ethereal sculptural pieces offer a contemporary reimagination of Australian nature through unique uses of colour, texture and organic plant material.
Ms Ashcroft’s work skilfully manipulates texture and form, using unorthodox materials to evoke feeling and give glimpses into her life on the Hawksbury River.
“Rather than portraying a moment in time, I draw inspiration from an immersion in nature to capture the expressive energy of the land,” said Ms Ashcroft.
Challenging traditional boundaries, Ms Ashcroft explores mood, texture, colour and light to create unconventional and striking images.
In ‘From The Landscape’, Ms Pollard celebrates the abundance of nature, working with foraged and organic materials to create unique, sculptural works. Her works use a variety of traditional basketry and assemblage techniques, highlighting the link between raw foraged matter, earthy materials and natural elements to explore our relationship with the environment and its beauty.
“When we place ourselves in nature, removed from the constant interruptions of the digital life we live, we have an opportunity to experience ourselves in harmony with the natural world around us,” said Ms Pollard.
“Using traditional basketry methods, my art celebrates the inherent beauty of nature to create moments that encourage reflection and a sense of connection.”
In homage to the raw beauty of Australian nature, ‘From The Landscape’ includes paintings, sculptures and wall hanging pieces.
Event details
Dates: Thursday to Sunday from 18 October – 21 October 2018
Opening Night Drinks: Thursday 18 October 2018 6pm – 8pm
Gallery hours: Thursday to Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday to Sunday 9am – 5pm
Location: Art Gallery on Darling, 315 Darling St Balmain NSW 2041
Cost: Free
About Vanessa Ashcroft
Vanessa is Director of Art Gallery on Darling, Balmain, and has a vast experience in the Art World with many solo & Group Shows, selling over the years extensively to Singapore, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Amsterdam.
Living in Patonga on the Central Coast of NSW, Vanessa works from her studio and Gallery, the Salt & Sand Art Gallery in Patonga in the Brisbane Waters National Park. Vanessa has been a finalist in many Prizes including the Paddington Art Prize, Gosford Art Prize, Mt Eyre Art Prize, Muswellbrook Regional Art Prize, Norville Art Prize and the Mosman Art Prize. Vanessa has been an invited guest artist at the Packsaddle Art Exhibition and a finalist in the prestigious Norville Art Prize.
For many years Vanessa has held Workshops and tutored at Ku-ring-gai Art Centre, Roseville and St. Ignatius, Riverview. She holds weekend workshops in Patonga and also does individual one on one tutoring. http://vanessaashcroft.com.au/
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 had several solo exhibitions and has exhibited extensively in selected and group exhibitions. 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
Artisans in the Gardens
Artisans In The Gardens 12 – 21 October 2018 Lions Gate Lodge Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney
I'm so excited to be selected for this wonderful exhibition.
A celebration of the natural world, Artisans in the Gardens, now in its 18th year, brings together an extraordinary range of artwork. The exhibition showcases some of Australia’s best established and emerging artists and craftspeople with over 2,000 artworks including sculpture, ceramics, hand blown glass, jewellery, textiles, plus so much more. More information here.
I'll be there on Sunday 13 October, with a demonstration of random weave at 2:30pm on the front lawn.
Solo exhibition - surfacing, Sydney Road Gallery
‘surfacing’ - Sculptural solo exhibition of foraged and discarded plants explores oneness and connection with nature
27 September – 21 October 2018
Meet The Artist: Pop in anytime between 1-4pm on Saturday 29 September
Times: Thursday – Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm and Sunday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Sydney Road Gallery, 563 Sydney Road Seaforth
Celebrated Sydney fibre artist Catriona Pollard’s fourth solo exhibition ‘surfacing’ offers stunning works of sculptural basketry and assemblage works that explore the concept of layers of self and oneness by applying material and techniques to organic surfaces.
The sculptures are made from foraged plant material, and through the observation and interaction with nature Catriona Pollard has developed works for this exhibition that allow colour, texture and organic form to surface.
Catriona 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 placing ourselves in nature, removed from the constant interruptions of the digital life we now live, it allows an expansion of our creative expression and an uncovering of deeper layers of self. Through these sculptures, I’m giving the viewer an opportunity to experience this idea of oneness with nature.”
“Highlighting 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 us to expand, but also forces us to confront whatever stands in way of that expansion; to see the layers of self."
For more images and videos go to instagram CatrionaPollard
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.
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, clay and silk.
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 this her fourth solo exhibition. 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. She is currently Artist InProfile at the 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
Upcoming workshops - join me!
PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
Wild Creativity - WildFest - Moss Vale, Southern Highlands, NSW
Sun 7 Oct, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Today, we live in a fast-paced world of technology designed to constantly grab our attention that keeps us constantly switched on. Coupled with relentless deadlines and the pressure of modern day living can all lead to mental fatigue, overwhelm, and burnout. Spend a day with celebrated nature-based artist, Catriona Pollard where you will have the opportunity to slow down, quieten your mind and reconnect with your imagination.
In this one-day workshop you will find renewed inspiration through a series of creative exercises and nature-based experiences including ephemeral art. You will learn ancient basketry techniques which have been used since the beginning of humanity. You will have the opportunity to transform ordinary natural found objects into something extraordinary.
Learn Sculptural Basketry with Catriona Pollard - Mosman Art Gallery
13 October 2018, 1-5pm
In this half-day workshop you will learn the ancient basketry technique of Random Weaving which has been used since the beginning of humanity. You will have the opportunity to transform ordinary natural found objects into something extraordinary. Using the natural fibre of Bangalow Palm inflorescence (seedpods) you will weave a sculptural form. By the end of the experience, you will have a sculptural basket and a deeper understanding of the wonderful art of weaving and your own creativity.
Explore your creativity: weaving sculptures - North Sydney Community Centre
11 November 10 -4pm
This 1 day workshop is all about exploration and play - not perfection. Learning traditional basketry techniques you will use organic material such as vines, seed pods and branches to weave sculptural forms. Starting with standing in nature we will explore ephemeral art techniques and you will learn how to connect with nature, your stories and your creativity.
Fibre Arts Festival, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
17, 18, 19 November 2018
Want to have an end of the year creative experience? Join me at the inaugural Fibre Arts Festival at the Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, QLD where you can do a bunch of interesting creative workshops, chill by the pool, do some yoga and hang out with like minded people. Don’t miss out! I'll be doing twining workshops using hemp and seagrass cord. Book at: www.fibreartsfestival.com.au and look at www.facebook.com/fibreartsfestivalAUS
5 day residential - Sturt Summer School - Interwoven creativity- weaving natural forms
Spend 5 days with me exploring nature, weaving and creativity at the Sturt Summer School at Mittagong, 3-8 January 2019 . Through the lens of nature, explore traditional basketry with a sculptural perspective. Through a series of creative exercises that will connect you with the natural world, you will uncover the secret life in natural materials. This workshop is all about exploration and play not perfection.
To book: http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/