About Catriona Pollard – Sculptural Fibre Artist
It takes a talented artist to see the true beauty in inanimate objects and visualise how she would use these in a creative form. Her work binds immense femininity, sensitivity and strength. With every piece there is a story to be told. Catriona depicts friends, family and places. What really amazes me is her great sensitivity with the use of natural materials and the effortless combination of them. Producing often tightness in contrast with fluid form.Jason Woodland, Fanuli
I am a contemporary artist who transforms foraged plant fibres and recycled metals into evocative sculptural works using traditional fibre techniques.
My art explores the deep, personal connection between humans and the natural world, inviting viewers into a dialogue with the unseen forces and energies that shape our environment. My practice has been recognised for its skillful exploration of nature, human relationships, and transformation.
At the heart of my work is an investigation into harmony, dependence, and our potential for deeper connection with the ecological world.
Through intricate and complex weaving techniques, I create repetitive patterns that reflect interconnection. The interplay of shadows extending beyond the physical forms of my sculptures adds another dimension—exploring the balance of light and dark and their role in achieving harmony.
By engaging directly with organic materials, I allow them to guide my artistic process. This results in sculptures that tell stories shaped by nature itself—a language of transformation that reveals new meanings and relationships between spirit, nature, humanity, and the landscapes we inhabit.
Through this reinterpretation of nature, my work offers up the concept that we should actively see nature as part of us rather than simply an object that has no meaning or spirit. This investigation also leads to a reflection on our inner landscape and questioning control versus harmony within our lives.
The forms I weave tell stories relating to emotions, concepts, energy and experiences. They are about truly seeing the extraordinary in everyday moments. For me, it’s about being still, and letting the beauty surface.
Inspiration
Growing up in the country, with summers at the beach and every other school holidays camping and walking through National Parks has resulted in a deep connection with the natural world around me.
As I walk through the bush tracks inspiration presents itself. I see a fallen tree with the roots exposed and an idea for a sculpture is illuminated. Or as I wade through the rock pools, the shape of the water against the rocks becomes an idea for a story to be told through sculptural form.
“Trusting my intuition, weaving using organic material is about listening to the material. I may have an idea about what I’m going to create and then I allow the material to inform me. I recognise that I am the conduit for what the material wants to become.”
Accolades
I have exhibited in multiple solo, group, and touring exhibitions. My work has been recognized as a winner and finalist in prestigious art awards, including the Australian Textile Art Award, International Art Textile Biennale, National Capital Art Prize, Environmental Art & Design Award, North Sydney Art Prize, Australian Fibre Arts Award, and Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize, among many others.
My artwork is profiled across major art and design media. Watch at ABC TV and Gardening Australia and read in the feature in Good Weekend, SMH/The Age. I’m profiled in the Book: Woven Together: Weavers and Their Stories (Gingko Press). See the media section for a compete list.
I’ve been selected for several residencies including Studio H, Canada; Salamanca Art Space, Hobart; Gunyah artist-in-residence, NSW; Police Point, Mornington Peninsula; Domaine de Boisbuchet, France, Northern Beaches Artist in Residence and BigCi, Blue Mountains.
Educator
As a dedicated professional educator, I hold sold out sculptural basketry weaving workshops in Australia and internationally and teach for design and craft centres. I hold demonstrations for organisations including the Australian Design Centre and Museums, and give artist talks at galleries and community groups. I established the online SchoolofBasketryArt.com with students from around the world.
My work is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces, commercial spaces and private collections. You can view my work at my studio in Mosman, Sydney. Please get in touch to make an appointment.
Click to see my art portfolio for residential and commercial spaces.