Making art fills me with joy, satisfaction and excitement. Through my art I seek to express my love of natural forms including the human form and my wonder of the processes of nature. I am fascinated with the idea of discovering mysteries exposed in the layers and structures within forms. I am interested in this as a metaphor for considering the human psyche. This is something that I have been exploring for some time in my sculpture.
My drawing – and especially life drawing – is the starting point for all the art I make. I love life drawing – it challenges me and totally absorbs me. I never tire of observing the beauty of the human form or of the challenge of depicting what I see. My response is always emotional.
My passion has recently been ignited for all things textile! I feel I have found a wonderful way of working with my life drawings that brings them to life as finished pieces. My recent works are the result of my experimentation with fabrics, machine embroidery, felting, collage and other techniques. Working in this way allows me to combine my love of drawing the figure with using exciting materials that let me express what I feel and how I experience the world.
Fabric of Life is my most recent body of work.. In these textile works I explore the female form to depict Life as I experience it. I have used thread and fabrics to portray emotion, character, atmosphere and a sense of a woman’s inner landscape and her connection to her environment.
Fabric of Life is my most recent body of work.. In these textile works I explore the female form to depict Life as I experience it. I have used thread and fabrics to portray emotion, character, atmosphere and a sense of a woman’s inner landscape and her connection to her environment.
Each piece is
developed from studies drawn from life and aims to express the spirit of the
moment, the beauty of the figurative line and a joy of texture, colour and
pattern. I strive to
express atmosphere and emotion whilst also achieving an overall decorative
effect. In many pieces I hope to convey an aspect of the human condition from a
female perspective. Working in this way allows me to combine my love of drawing
the human form with using inspiring materials that allow me to express what I
feel and how I experience the world.
My influences are wide
ranging and include: a love of Asian art particularly Japanese woodblock
prints; life drawings by artists from Renaissance times to present day;
traditional crafts and the invaluable inspiration of a gathering of wonderful
women with whom I meet regularly to work together on creative projects.
I hope that, through
this collection of my recent works, I am able to share with you my love of the
human form especially as expressed through figure drawing and my expression of authentic
human experience through the texture, colours and beauty of textiles.
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
MA Fine Art (Sculpture) University of Edinburgh 1988-1993
RECENT EXHIBITION HISTORY
Manyung Gallery, Fabric of Life at Passion for Fashion, September 2012
Kingston Art Centre, Solo Exhibition: "Fabric of Life", May 2012
Manyung Gallery, Fabric of Life at Passion for Fashion, September 2012
Kingston Art Centre, Solo Exhibition: "Fabric of Life", May 2012
Manyung Gallery, October Exhibition 2011
Brunswick Street Gallery, Asian Folk Art/Fine Art Exhibition 2011
Brunswick Street Gallery, Small Works Exhibition 2011
Brunswick Street Gallery, Asian Folk Art/Fine Art Exhibition 2011
Brunswick Street Gallery, Small Works Exhibition 2011
Art Blitz, Kingston Arts Centre 2011
Gifted, Kingston Arts Centre 2010
Association of Sculptors Victoria Annual Exhibition, Manningham Gallery, 2009
Brunswick Street Gallery, Small Works Exhibition 2009
Art Blitz, Kingston Arts Centre, 2009
Association of Sculptors Victoria Annual Exhibition, Monsalvat, 2007
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Carlton Gardens, 2007
AWARDS
Art Blitz at Kingston Art Centre 2011: 3rd prize
Association of Sculptors Victoria Annual Exhibition, 2007: Highly Commended
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Sculpture Garden, 2007: 2nd Prize
