Tuesday 12 March 2024

Inspiration that inspires new sculpture

 Towards the end of last year, I attended a breathwork session with Nicola Laye. www.nicolalaye.com. Instagram @nicola_laye.  Nicola is an outstanding Women's Breathwork Coach. It was an amazing experience which I really benefited from and I really appreciated her kindness and compassion. I follow Nicola on Instagram and she always has important and inspiring words to empower women. This really resonates with me as my art practice is about giving voice to women and expressing our shared experiences. Nicola's wise words have inspired my next sculpture. Nicola's message

 " Surround yourself with those who lift you higher not those who weigh you down" 

"You rise by lifting others. Lets lift each other up."

Beautiful encouraging words to help me work by. Very excited about this new work.

Saturday 13 January 2024

New work taking shape




This is my new work an exploration of self, ageing, womanhood, connection and life experience. An attempt to understand all that has brought me to now. Becoming more aware of myself. 150 amazing women shared with me a significant memory they felt helped shape them. We carry these memories with us. The memories were hand written and dipped in beeswax. The entire work is made of handmade banana fibre paper, the base has paper thread stitching. There is light in the hand , good memories are sometimes carried forward as a beacon to give strength or courage for the future. 
 

Friday 1 December 2023

Inspiring Exhibitions and Artists

Headed to Sydney on Friday with my dear friend Gaye for the day to see the The Louise Bourgeois Exhibition. It was a magnificent day in Sydney the weather warm and clear the Harbour glorious and the exhibition outstanding,  and awe inspiring.

Incredible sculpture Maman




We were so fortunate that while at the Art Gallery of NSW we got to participate in the incredible installation work of Kimsooja Archive of Mind.

The Gallery had so many amazing works This work above by Yhonnie Scarce. Australia b1973 Kokatha, Southern Desert region: Nukunu, Spencer region Death Zephyr2017 was beautiful and thought provoking.
Before heading back to the airport we dropped into the MCA and saw these magnificent works by Simyrn Gill Maria's Garden.



What a huge day to process. So grateful for this experience and inspiration.







 

Monday 23 October 2023

Slow progress but getting there



 The body for my new work is coming together. It is a very process driven job but with every work and every problem I learn so much more. Repetition always seems to play a part in my work I love the narrative it makes. I am so fortunate to have many women who generously participate with me in these works. So grateful for their responses. 

Sunday 1 October 2023

Inspiration in nature

 









In this experience I found so much inspiration in nature. We have just spent 3 days on Lady Elliot Island and had many awe moments. It exceeded our expectations in every way. The colours and patterns were amazing. The coral was so beautiful. We snorkelled with turtles, fish, a reef tip shark, barracuda, wrasse, tusk fish, sea slugs and much more and my husband swam with manta rays. It was an incredible experience. Nature is awesome.

Sunday 23 July 2023

Casting



I started casting my body today for my new work. It is a labour intensive process and pretty messy. I am very fortunate to have my daughter and husband to help me. It is always important for me to have the body represented in my work. For me it carries the trace of memory, lived experience. It is also an ageing body which I love and appreciate. Far from perfect, needing a bit more plaster these days, just honest and real. 
 

Thursday 1 June 2023

Beauty of Ikara- Flinders Ranges National Park






 We have just returned from a short trip to Ikara- Flinders Ranges National park. We drove out from Adelaide. We stayed at Wilpena Pound and were able to do bushwalks everyday. The trees and landscape were inspiring. The colours of the river red gums were beautiful. The stillness and peace was very relaxing, just what I needed.