Stunning contemporary sculptural basketry exhibition ‘I am of You’ challenges viewers to see and appreciate nature in a different light
Acclaimed Sydney fibre artist Catriona Pollard shares her latest body of work at the Sturt Gallery in a solo exhibition titled ‘I am of You’ which offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into stunning works that celebrate the abundance of nature. This a not to be missed exhibition that is getting rave reviews. On Until 3 June at the renowned Sturt Gallery, Mittagong.
Running from 15 April to 3 June 2018, Ms Pollard is showcasing beautifully constructed pieces made only from foraged plant material, weaved together in a way that inspires viewers to think differently about the natural world around them.
Ms Pollard’s 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 ash.
“The exhibition is a call for us to fall in love again with the world around us and see that we are bound by nature to claim its place in our heart,” said Ms Pollard.
“We are not that much different, you and I and to hold sacred our links to our ancestry which is so closely connected to the earth and the vines, leaves and plants that grow from it.”
The collection of intricately woven pieces is a reimagining the beauty of nature explores the connection between all living things – from the earth beneath our feet, through to the air above us and everything in between. It transforms the inherent beauty of nature into moments that encourage reflection and connection.
When: 15 April – 3 June 2018
Where: Sturt Gallery, Cnr Range Road and Waverly Parade, Mittagong NSW 2575
Cost: Free
Gallery hours: Open 7 days, 10am – 5pm
The beauty of ordinary natural objects [Podcast]
I caught up with Angharad Rixon from TextileStories and had a wonderful chat about how starting basketry had helped me find my hidden passion and creativity.
I spoke about how I use materials to tell my stories, how I find the material and then deciding what to make and bring my vision to life!
I share how organic sculptures offer an opportunity to reflect on our own interconnectedness with each other and the world which surrounds us, inviting us to see the beauty in ordinary objects and slow the pace of our daily lives.
My exhibition ‘I am of you’ at Sturt Gallery was inspired by how everyone is so interconnected but also so disconnected from the world around us, this concept is inspired by the belief that we are inextricably linked with everything around us, the trees, the soil, the water, and all living things.
I talk about how I teach the exploration of basketry and creativity, not just process, but how even while I may have a plan for my art, it can change at any moment, and I may not even realise that the piece is actually completed at all!
I spoke of my struggle with confidence before teaching my first basket weaving class, and how I had thought that because my pieces weren’t very traditional, I didn’t have enough traditional knowledge to teach. But little did I know, it’s not about the structure it’s about your creativity and finding your own way, and using the skills you may not even know you have to make amazing pieces of art.
Listen to it here
Prefer to watch while you listen? This YouTube is for you!
2 day workshop - Art in Nature: exploring your creativity
Inviting you to take this special opportunity to connect with your creative side as you learn new techniques in traditional basketry from acclaimed Australian artist, Catriona Pollard.
2-4 April, 2018 - booked out
Waverley, South Taranaki
Limited to 10 people
Slow down and gift yourself the time to find the secret life in natural objects.
You may walk past a fallen branch and not even notice it, but maybe it’s the beginnings of a sculpture. Explore the joy of picking up a vine, stick or seed pod and imagine what they could be.
Over the three days, you will experience ephemeral art on the beach which is a fun, inspirational experience that excites your imagination, perception and creativity – and makes you see the world around you in a different way.
Over two hours you will work directly in the natural environment guided by a series of exercises in creating ephemeral art. You will create one work or a series of works that integrate into the natural environment.
Then we will spend two days exploring creativity and basketry. This workshop is all about exploration and play not perfection. Using found materials we will then explore traditional basketry techniques including twining and random weave
We all have new growth ready to emerge, and basketry can help you reconnect with your imagination, nature and give you new insights and perspectives.
Solo exhibition - I am of You - Sturt Gallery
I'm so thrilled to develop a new body of work for my next solo exhibition at the amazing Sturt gallery in Mittagong. Opening 15 April, 11am - through to 3 June 2018.
"Running from 15 April to 3 June 2018, the beautifully constructed and stunning pieces made from foraged plant material will leave you spellbound with its ethereal beauty and harmonised rawness.
‘I am of You’ offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into shapes that move you; that celebrate the abundance of nature and our place in this universe.
‘I am of You’ is a call for us to fall in love again with the world around us and see that we are bound by nature to claim its place in our heart.
The collection of intricately woven pieces explores the connection between all living things – from the earth beneath our feet, through to the air above us and everything in between. It transforms the inherent beauty of nature into moments that encourage reflection and connection.
Catriona’s 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 ash.
In this body of work for Sturt Gallery, Catriona inspires us to recognise that we are not that much different, you and I and to hold sacred our links to our ancestry which is so closely connected to the earth and the vines, leaves and plants that grow from it."
Sydney Road Gallery - Wish List Group Exhibition
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me…an original artwork from the talented artists at Sydney Road Gallery.
It was wish come true to bring together a group of highly talented and passionate artists to collectively run a commercial gallery. It’s been so much more successful than they had ever imagined.
So in the lead up to Christmas, share a gift of unique and original art with family and friends and yourself (don’t you just love buying a Christmas gift for yourself!).
Select from amazing watercolours, stitching, sculptures, oils and limited-edition prints.
I have done a collection especially for this exhibition based around Christmas.
Event details
Dates: Thursday to Sunday from 7 December - 23 December 2017
Times: Thursday – Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm and Sunday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Sydney Road Gallery, 563 Sydney Road Seaforth NSW 2092
Link to site: https://sydneyroadgallery.com/
New works at Fanuli Furniture
I've just delivered new works to Fanuli Furniture in Cremorne, Sydney. Pop in if you're in the area. I just love how my art look next to stunning contemporary Italian furniture.
Join me for a day of creativity and basketry
Explore your creativity: weaving sculptures
Workshop:
North Sydney Community Centre
Sunday 4 February 2018, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Cost: $195.00, Concession: $146.25 (pensioners/full time students)
Book here.
Slow down and gift yourself the time to find the secret life in natural objects.
You may walk past a fallen branch and not even notice it, but maybe it’s the beginnings of a sculpture. Explore the joy of picking up a vine, stick or seed pod and imagine what they could be.
We are surrounded by the beauty of nature, but so often we are too busy or digitally connected to slow down and reconnect with it.
This 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. Using found materials we will then explore random weaving.
We all have new growth ready to emerge, and basketry can help you reconnect with your imagination, nature and give you new insights and perspectives.
Materials will be supplied and the types of material you may wish to bring: Sticks, branches, leaves Palm inflorescence (the fuzzy looking seed pods that fall from Palm trees) Vines such as jasmine, wisteria Leaves such as cordyline and dracaena Shells, stones
Suitable for beginners to more experienced weavers.
You are invited to my next solo exhibition - 11:11
The synchronicity of now – new sculptural exhibition transforms common plant material into contemporary and inspired ‘moments’
Acclaimed Sydney fibre artist Catriona Pollard unveils her latest body of work in a solo exhibition titled 11:11 which showcases unique nature based sculptures exploring the synchronicity of now.
Running from 26 October to 12 November 2017 at Sydney Road Gallery, the beautifully constructed and stunning pieces made from foraged plant material represent the magic of simple moments that can be easily missed in our hectic lives.
Commenting on the exhibition, Catriona Pollard explains “As a master number, 11 symbolises the link between human and spirit; darkness and light; scarcity and abundance.”
“Have you ever looked at the clock and noticed the time to be exactly 11:11? For many people it represents a single moment in time that encourages us to pause and reflect even just for a moment, and to focus our attention on our desires rather than our fears.”
Ms Pollard’s work highlights the link between raw foraged organic materials, like vines and grasses, with earthy materials like base metals including copper, and natural elements like charcoal, clay and ash.
The exhibition features intricately woven pieces that transform the inherent beauty of nature into moments that encourage personal reflection and emotional connection.
In 11:11 Ms Pollard explores new techniques not seen before in sculptural weaving to create a collection that is visually interesting and sparks the imagination. For instance, Ms Pollard incorporated the technique of random weave with xanthorrhoea resin to weave a 2 metre high ‘cloak’ which represents the warmth of gratitude.
“All of the vine sculptures in the exhibition were the result of a chance meeting which lead to the opportunity to spend two days in a rainforest ‘dancing’ with vines. It’s moments in time that make up our lives, but more importantly, it’s being open to them.”
“Noticing 11:11 might be the only time that day that we stop and are present and understanding that we are part of something bigger. This body of work is a sculptural representation of noticing the extraordinary in every day moments.”
Ms Pollard’s work explores a deep connection with nature, highlighting the contrast with society’s current disconnection with it. “We are so digitally connected and high-speed now, often we miss the simplicity of moments in time that nature gifts us; noticing the wind, the bird flying by and the shadow of a leaf dancing in the breeze.”
Catriona Pollard has exhibited extensively in selected and group exhibitions and this her second solo. She has been shortlisted as Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW (2014, 2015), finalist Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize (2017), Northern Beaches Art Prize (2017), North Sydney Art Prize (2013-2015), Warringah Art Prize (2016), and Mosman Art Gallery 2088 (2011-2017).
Exhibition details:
When: Thursday to Sunday, 26 October – 12 November 2017
Where: Sydney Road Gallery, 563 Sydney Road Seaforth NSW 2092
Cost: Free
Opening night: 26 October from 6.00pm
Times: Thursday – Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm and Sunday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Weaving demonstration: Sunday 29 October at 11:00am
Cost: Free
Sydney Road gallery is a commercial art gallery that represents a group of artists and encourages and enjoys collaborating with creatives from many disciplines. Every person you speak to or meet at Sydney Road Gallery is an artist. https://sydneyroadgallery.com/
Artist Talk - Sturt Gallery
Oh how I love to talk about my art and my processes. Come along and join me. I will share my story about how I found basketry (or it found me), talk through my pieces that are in the Woven In Winter exhibition (and others), and my philosophy around my art. The talk is as part of the Sturt Winter School (which I’m teaching). Make a day trip and see the stunning Woven In Winter exhibition (open until 23 July).
4:15pm, 4 July, Frensham Auditorium. STURT CRAFT CENTRE, Cnr Range Road & Waverley Parade, Mittagong NSW