See my work at Sturt Gallery Woven In Winter exhibition
I'm so thrilled to be selected for an exhibition at the amazing Sturt Gallery that showcases the best of Australian contemporary craft & design.
Sturt was established in 1941 and is Australia's oldest craft centre. Sturt is a centre of excellence for the promotion & teaching of Australian contemporary craft and design.
I was asked to create a series of work that related to "Winter".
My artist statement:
As the cold fog starts rolling in and the fires start to burn, we connect to the earth through contemplation and reflection. The layers of our soul speak in oneness with the earth, wind and fire. The cold outside and the warmth inside adds a layer of wonder and contemplative engagement. It can lead to a reflection on our inner landscape; to be still and allow beauty to surface. This series honours our divine layers and encourages us to embrace our light, even in the darkest of days.
Woven in Winter
Woven forms in basketry, textiles and ceramics
11 June – 23 July 2017
STURT CRAFT CENTRE
Cnr Range Road & Waverley Parade
Mittagong NSW 2575
Phone (02) 4860 2083
Open Daily 10am - 5pm
See my work at Sydney Road Gallery
I'm so excited about joining Sydney Road Gallery - here is the media release about the opening:
Sydney artists open new gallery with disruptive model of showcasing artworks
A collective of 13 Sydney artists have opened a new gallery space, ‘Sydney Road Gallery’ in Seaforth which disrupts the traditional gallery model of showcasing and selling artworks.
The collective are accomplished mid-level exhibiting visual artists from disciplines including painting, printmaking, textiles and sculptural basketry, who have come together to jointly open and manage a combined gallery space.
Fiona Chandler who came up with the idea for the gallery said, “Artists are collaborators, it takes many people to see original artworks on walls. We want to acknowledge the coming together of patrons as well as stylists, interior designers and architects who create a unique and aesthetically beautiful space place to live and work.”
“What we wanted to create is a conversation, developing relationships with the people that buy our works.”
Sydney Road Gallery objective is to create a business around relationships: artists with artists, artists with customers and artists with stylists and interior designers.
“Every artist in the collective see buyers of art as patrons of the arts rather than simply a transaction. When you spend hours or even months creating a piece, each painting or sculpture has a story woven into it.”
“We want to tell those stories to our ‘patrons’ and the people who change spaces with our art such as stylists and interior designers. The feeling that comes from making something and then seeing that made item in a living or work space, and knowing that it was specifically chosen, can be life changing for an artist.”
Each artist contributes 10 per cent of each sale as well as a small monthly fee which goes towards the running of the gallery.
The gallery will feature a diversity of artwork that will inspire and appeal to interior designers and art lovers alike, including paintings, textiles, sculptural and wall hanging pieces to suit different tastes, themes and settings. The works will change every two weeks.
Sydney Road Gallery
Where: Sydney Road Gallery, Shop 2, 563 Sydney Road, Seaforth, NSW
Gallery hours: Thursday to Sunday 10am to 4pm
For more information about Sydney Road Gallery: www.sydneyroadgallery.com
Artists showcasing their work at Sydney Road Gallery include:
Fiona Chandler
Eleanor Amiradaki
Miguel Gonzalez
Debbie Mackinnon
Sarah Montgomery
Catriona Pollard
Monique Tyacke
Amanda Tye
Fiona Verity
Trisha Trinder
Saffron Craig
Jaimee Paul
Jessica Watts
Sculptural Random Weave Workshop - 28 May
Sculptural Random Weave using Bangalow Palm inflorescence, Warringah Creative Space. Sunday, 28 May 2017 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Experience and explore the sculptural basketry technique of random weaving with contemporary sculptural basketry artist Catriona Pollard.
Learn how to create something from found material just using your hands and imagination. By the end of the experience, you will have a sculptural basket around a vase and a deeper understanding of the wonderful art of weaving.
Please bring secateurs and an old towel. Material will be provided but it is suggested that you bring some dried bangalow palm inflorescence (google for images) that has been dampened a few hours before the workshop. Also bring a small vase or container.
Suitable for Adult and weaving beginner. Only 10 places available.
Book at bit.ly/randomweave28.
Exhibition - Fluidity
I hope you can make it along to my up coming exhibition - Fluidity.
Creative Space 105 Abbott Road, North Curl Curl
18-28 May 2017
Opening Drinks Saturday 20 May 4-6m
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4pm
New exhibition explores our ancient connection with nature
Fluidity is body of work by acclaimed artists Catriona Pollard and Karen Visser which applies a fluid perspective to nature and explores form and texture in two very different ways: sculpture using foraged natural materials and photography that paints nature with light.
Running from 18-28 May 2017 at Creative Space in North Curl Curl, the exhibition explores the potential of all possibilities through the lens of nature.
The exhibition, by two of Sydney’s most promising visual artists, who have been recognised for their compelling work, will offer a visual feast that will prompt the viewer to ponder nature and its power over our psyche.
Both artists believe that often we only see what we want to see: visions that match our fixed beliefs and perspectives and anything that is defined in a limited way is open to transformation. Objects and views are fluid, whether this is discarded branches and vines or spectacular coastline seen through new light.
Being deeply connected to the natural world around them, both artists use their art forms to comment on society’s connection and disconnection with it.
Fibre artist, Catriona Pollard uses foraged or discarded organic material to weave sculptures that honour and worship the earth beneath our feet and the new growth that can emerge from it.
“I use 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. It leads to a reflection on our inner landscape and the question of what would happen if we saw aspects of our lives in different ways,” said Ms Pollard.
Photographer, Karen Visser applies a unique perspective of the Northern Beaches coastline through photographic impressionism where she explores the ethereal atmospheric sensitivity within our natural environs.
“Having always possessed a love for natural beauty and fine detail, my focus is drawn to the play of light.”
“I relish the conversations that are stirred through the painterly blurs and brush stroke impressions, of woven layers of motion, nature that takes on human-like qualities, shadows and reflections that intrigue and fleeting light that reveals ‘invisible’ colours,” said Ms Visser.
Exhibition Details:
When: 18-28 May 2017
Where: Creative Space, 105 Abbott St, North Curl Curl
Cost: Free
Opening drinks: Saturday, 20 May 4-6 pm
Gallery hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4pm
Weaving Workshop:
Experience and explore the sculptural basketry technique of random weaving with contemporary sculptural basketry artist Catriona Pollard.
When: 21 May 2017, 10am-1pm
Where: Creative Space, 105 Abbott St, North Curl Curl
Cost: $75
Book: bit.ly/randomweave21
For more information on the artists:
Catriona Pollard’s work visit www.theartofweaving.com.au, Instagram: CatrionaPollard
Karen Visser’s work visit www.karenvisser.com.au, Instagram: KarenVisser_Artist
Catriona Pollard Bio
Catriona Pollard’s work is inspired by the connection and relationship we have with our environment and the beauty it shares with us. As an accomplished contemporary sculptural basketry artist, she is gifted with the ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Her work is profiled across major art and design media and is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces and private collections.
Her work has been described as emotionally-authentic, uniquely contemporary, raw and visually stunning. She’s had a solo exhibition, been numerous group and selected exhibitions and has been shortlisted as Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW and finalist numerous art prizes and awards. Full CV here: https://theartofweaving.com.au/about-2/
Karen Visser Bio
Karen Visser was given her first camera in primary school and the seeds of a lifelong passion for photography were sown. She has consistently explored methods of photography which allow her to search for moments that evoke an emotion, a feeling of poetry or music within the imagery.
She has studied photography in Australia and Europe, and in 2009 developed a series of ‘Intimate Botanicals’ which involved exploring scanography. Her current series of ‘Photographic Impressionism’ images explore the ethereal atmospheric sensitivity within our natural environs.
Her first exhibition was held in 2013, and has since deepened her desire to share through her eyes the unrivaled natural beauty of our treasured coastlines, fascinating sculptural rockscapes and diverse natural bush.
Join me at Sturt Winter School: Interwoven creativity- weaving natural forms
| Interwoven creativity- weaving natural forms
Spend 5 days with me exploring nature, weaving and creativity at the Sturt Winter School at Mittagong, 3-7 July 2017 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. 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. You will then learn traditional basketry and weaving techniques including random weaving, twining and construction. You will use a variety of foraged and harvested natural fibres to weave vessels and sculptural forms. These forms allow you to tell your stories in interesting ways, and help you tap into powerful creativity. Learning at your own pace, in this hands on, practical workshop you will have the opportunity to experiment and explore basketry techniques with the opportunity to complete a series of sculptural forms. We all have new growth ready to emerge, and this basketry workshop will help you reconnect with your imagination, nature and give you new insights and perspectives. Suitable for all levels. Only 10 places available. To book: http://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/winter-school |
Join me to learn Sculptural Random Weave
Experience and explore the sculptural basketry technique of random weaving with contemporary sculptural basketry artist Catriona Pollard.
Learn how to create something from found material just using your hands and imagination. By the end of the experience, you will have a sculptural basket and a deeper understanding of the wonderful art of weaving.
Please bring secateurs and a old towel. Material will be provided but it is encouraged that you bring some dried bangalow palm inflorescence (google for images).
Suitable for Adult and weaving beginner.
Date and Time
Sun 20 November 2016
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM AEDT
Location
Warringah Creative Space
105 Abbott Rd
North Curl Curl, NSW 2099
