Coming together

My new sculpture is coming together. This is the first time I have added hair. After experimenting with lots of different papers I decided to try 100percent Australian wool. Really love the texture to work with and I think it really compliments the paper.

It is a slow process putting all the pieces together, sometimes problem solving areas but very satisfying to see it come together.

I had over 100 wonderful responses from women participating in the project. So many generous women I love giving voice to their words.
 

Building begins

All the paper is now completed and I have begun putting all the pieces together. This batch of banana paper has a lot more texture and variability. It is a slow process but rewarding when I get it the way it should be. 

Hoping these ones fit together well

                              This time I have decided to do hair. I have experimented with lots of different paper but have settled on 100percent wool.  The paper and wool look great together and it is sustainable and natural. So lucky to have an amazing supplier here in Qld, Dianne Conroy from Wild Woolly.  Dianne does fantastic workshops and is a wonderful artist. I am just working out how to put a bun in the back. Will update when more pieces are together.

Paper begins

 Building up many layers of banana paper into the moulds. This batch of paper is still very fibrous but seems to be working ok. 

Preparation complete

 Preparation of casts is complete I have sealed the casts with 3 layers of shellac mixture, making sure each layer was dry before adding the next. I always work outside and make sure I use all safety precautions. Our health and well being is the most important thing.  Now the papering begins.

Casting work for new project

I had a very busy Saturday casting for my new project.  I love doing it,  but it is very physical work. So fortunate to have my beautiful daughter willing to participate and always supporting me with my art. Really happy with the outcome. Now to let them dry, ready for the release agent. 
 

Inspiring adventures

This amazing sculpture in Perth is a part of a work named Kangaroos 1998 by incredible Western Australian Sculptors Charlie Smith and Joan Walsh-Smith. Their work throughout WA was truly magnificent.

The Bungle Bungles light was beautiful

This glorious work 'First Contact' in Elisabeth Quay in Perth was done by artist Laurel Nannup in 2015.  This sculpture tells the story of the first sighting by Noongar people. The story passed down through her elders tells of how her people thought the ship was the spirit of the dead ancestors returning from the sea. The story in Laurels own words is inscribed in the paving around the work. Truly beautiful.

Shell beach in the Shark Bay region of WA. Shells replace beach sand 7-10 m deep and 60 klm amazing to walk on. Twice the salinity.
 

Incredible Kalbarri National park

Coastal cliffs, blue pools

Sunsets

Red dirt Gibb Road

I have just returned from the most inspiring adventure in WA. I had never been there before. We spent 5 days in Perth then headed to Broome and left for a14 day trip in the Kimberley's. We then drove from Broome in a motor home for 3 weeks down the coast. I had no idea of the vast space and incredible beauty WA had to offer. It was such a wonderful trip. We were very fortunate to see all the beautiful wildflowers as well.

                                              Windjana Gorge Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges early morning walks before the heat. Every Gorge was just magical. The glorious light and colours.

We were blessed with very good weather and the roads were wonderful. The colours were amazing . So grateful to have been able to see and do it all. On return I am back working on my current sculpture and doing lots of experimenting at present. 

Exhibition Botanic Gardens Mount Cootha

 Very grateful to be exhibiting my sculpture "Becoming" at the Sculpture Queensland Exhibition at the Botanic Gardens Mount Cootha.  The indoor exhibition Open 10-4 until Saturday afternoon June 1st and the outdoor continuing for several months. A fabulous exhibition with an amazing diverse variety of sculptures and mediums. A huge crowd attended the opening night, and people stating they thought it was the best yet. So well worth a visit.  A huge Congratulations to Colleen , Andrea and their team for all the hard work and time they have invested to bring about such a wonderful exhibition. A huge thankyou to all the ladies who participated in my project. I could not have done it without your responses. My work is about giving voice to women. Love it x

Beautiful Sydney Celebrations with Family

                                        Glorious down by the harbour with our visit to Sydney

Amazing artwork displayed at the Museum Of Contemporary Art Australia. Many incredible pieces by artists from West Arnhem Land ,Northern Territory Kuninjku people. Bob Wanurr Namundja, Jimmy Midjawmidjaw, Bobby Barrdjaray Nganjmirra.

This was a very special trip to Sydney, to celebrate these two amazing women , my aunties who have been a huge influence in my life. They are both wonderful aunts and beautiful people. I am so blessed to have them in my life. Barb is 89 and Jan 80. They are incredible matriarchs of my family. 
 

Killarney adventures

                                                                      Daggs Falls

Mains Range National Park

Visited the Warwick Gallery. These were two of my favourite works. So fortunate to see this magnificent work by Joolie Gibbs Impermanence 2020

                         This was a gorgeous work by Nicole Jakins  A Landscape Redefined 2023

                                                                   Queen Mary Falls
 On Friday we headed to Warwick for my husband to play cricket on the Saturday but unfortunately it was cancelled due to the heavy rain. We had never been to Killarney or Main Range National Park and were fortunate to be with friends to take us. The rain made Daggs falls and Queen Mary Falls truly spectacular. It is such a beautiful area to visit. On Saturday morning we visited the Warwick Gallery to see the Wildflowering by design exhibition curated by Dr Sue Davis and Dr Lisa Chandler. It was a wonderful exhibition and there were many inspiring works. The two above were my favourites. 

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.

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.