touring the future and the past

^ a quiet spot at Carriageworks in Sydney - a venue for the 19th Sydney Biennale^

Over the last week Ive been busy.

Busy taking advance of the beautiful + unseasonably hot weather.

And busy trying to catch up on all the exhibitions that are soon to say goodbye to the city.

This long weekend marks the final days of the VIVID festival (still on the to do list) and the 19th Sydney Biennale - that opened in four venues across the city in March. 

Now... at this point I have to admit something to you.

I can be a bit of a Johnny come lately when viewing exhibitions. Its not that I drag my heels to see art. Its just that I am alittle selfish - and like to see all these festival and exhibitions after everyone else has been and gone - so a can quietly walk through them! 

I love viewing art in silent spaces, and be able to sit and think in my own time and not queue to view each artwork on the wall. Plus - as you may have already guessed - Im quite short - and crowds are usually unforgiving to people that are deficient in the height department!

Anyway - after taking myself to the AGNSW, the MCA, and Carriageworks - 

yesterday marked my last day with the Biennale. And Id left the best till last.

Cockatoo Island. One of my favourite spots in Sydney.

And I took my Dad for his first visit (he appears in one of my photos later in this post.)

It was lovely to take him with me and show him some contemporary art while walking around this historic island.

But all in all it was a mixed Biennale for me. 

The Australian artistic director, Juliana Engberg, is a great admirer of video art pieces, which can sometimes leave me cold. I always look for the handmade aspect in an artwork and there werent many to locate in this years Biennale - entitled Imagine All that you Desire. 

But funnily enough my one of my favourite artworks from Cockatoo Island was a video work by Augustin Rebetez and Noe Cauderay - entitled Maison (2012) - which was an amazing stop animation piece that was incredibly detailed and inspiring.

But what always inspires me is the venues and especially Carriageworks and Cockatoo Island.

I hope you enjoy my images from the past few days....

And find some art in your Long Weekend!

^ a wall that could tell a thousand stories.
Carriageworks^

^collecting colour.
Carriageworks^

^In the beautiful sunshine
at Cockatoo island
to see the final leg of the Biennale^

^within//without.
Cockatoo Island^

^im not ashamed to say it...
Im addicted to taking photos out at the island.
Everything inspires me out there^

^I took my dad out with me to see the island and some of the contemporary art.
He wasnt sure about the art, but he loved the island...^

^volunteer work station inside the Turbine Hall.
So much restoration still needs to be carried out - and a lot of retired men and women
spend their days hammering, gluing and painting the history back together -
piece by piece^

^one of my dad's favourite artworks at Cockatoo Island.
Its by Australian artist
Mikala Dwyer^

^colour and texture...
These are a few of my favourite things^

master class

Ken Whisson exhibition As if at the MCA, November 2012

Its funny when nostalgia hits you and makes you pine for times that have past, or been put on hold. Many of us have experienced A LOT of change this year. Some may say that it was written in the stars. Others will tell you that it was LONG overdue. No matter what the circumstances, many of us are exhausted by what this year has brought. And if you're anything like me - youre now starting to feel, see, and understand all the changes that have happened.

Im starting to see that some of my old routines are out the window. 

Which is good... and bad. 

Some were just fine the way they were!

Take for example - my routine of walking around the art galleries in East Sydney. In the last six months many have closed their doors and said goodbye, with a few of the older guard just holding on.

Like Watters Gallery.

I love that gallery. 

Its old and a little rough around the edges. But that little red building on Riley street is an institution for that little pocket of the city. I remember being introduced to Frank Watters for an art theory class at uni, and hearing all his stories about the Sydney art scene in the 1970s. And from that moment on I was hooked.

Over the years Ive kept going there to see many of my favourite artists show there work there. With Ken Whisson being one of them. 

So when the MCA announced a massive retrospective of his work for the end of this year I was so excited to hear that a whole floor of the museum would be dedicated to his quirky abstract style. 

Yesterday I went back for my second look at this amazing show. And I loved it even more. 

His style is completely unique, as flat geometric shapes slide around the canvas', slicing and dicing objects and landscapes - making your eyes and mind work hard for some sort of understanding.

His aesthetic is his own. Which is rare these days. 

He makes no apologies for what he creates. 

And is now receiving the recognition that he truly deserves.

Loved it.

Ken Whisson: As if
Level 3
MCA 
George st The rocks
Sydney
Till this Sunday (25th Nov)

white textures// Biennale 2012

You know where you are from the moment you step off the ferry and onto the Island!
18th Biennale of Sydney 2012

After two and a half months, thousands of visitors, many live performances, artist talks and a conference, the 18th Biennale of Sydney had its last day on Saturday. And by the skin of my teeth I made it to all 5 venues, and even saw a dance performance by a Belgium dance company! Im not sure how, but I did it! And I really enjoyed my time with this years Biennale that was entitled : All Our Relations.

Co-artistic directors Catherine de Zegher and Gerald Mc Master wanted to look at how we are all connected to each other and how we relate to each other.  Its an interesting idea... and it was great to play and co-create with many of the works in the exhibition.

It was a massive 3 day adventure to visit all the venues and see all the works.

Today its all about white textures - a theme that was a lovely, quiet counter-balance to all the colour and noise that many of the works displayed.

So Ive broken up my images into a few posts that I hope you will enjoy...

A beautiful installation by Monika Grzymala and Euraba Artists and Papermakers, Cockatoo Island

The hypnotic and truly beautiful installation by Ed Pien and Tanya Tagaq... As you walked inside the work you felt like we were part of the shadow puppetry. And when you stepped out of the coil and could see it all from the outside it looked amazing..

The massive Styrofoam sculptural piece by New Zealand sculptor Peter Robinson was HUGE!! It took a lot of time and many volunteers to put it together but it look brilliant in the Turbine Hall.

Australian artist Jonathan Jones with his work Untitled (Oysters and tea cups) 2012

Jin Nu, Exuviate II : Where have all the children gone?, 2005
This work was reccommed to me and Im so glad I saw it. 
So haunting and so beautiful... 

This work was massive at Pier 2/3. Huge white sheets created a maze to walk through and get lost in.
Its by Honore d'O and it is called Air and Inner, 2012

And what were my favourite white works? Well they were two very quiet works that I couldn't take photos of! 

They were Nyapanyapa Yunupingu's drawing video installation work at the MCA that I sat in front of and lost track of time. It was seemingly simple but very complex. 

And the other work was the amazing sound installation by Thai artist Pinaree Sanpitak. I walked in circles and played for ages! 

Who needs a playground with a slide and a swing?!

gettin' happy while gettin' creative!

I know (Man with the Whale Balloon), 2005, Mix Media Drawing 

For a while now Ive been quietly working away on some workshops and teaching a few tiny art classes for children and adults like, as it seems to be the the perfect time to share some creative love in the community. 

Art seems to be a precious commodity at the moment, and for many its the last thing they are thinking about! You know that saying 'Time is money and money is time'? Well, when it comes to playing, having fun with colour, and sharing some art knowledge, money and time seem to be getting in the way....

And its a shame. In a time where many great things can be experienced for little money and time, it seems only fitting that art activities take centre stage and be a tool in making people happy, creative and... a big kid! 

So with that in mind, Jess from Breathing Colours gallery in Balmain, Kate Holcombe and I have put together something big, something fun and something colourful. And this drawing has become the poster for it all! 

For one week in July, Breathing Colours will host a Winter Workshop Festival for Kids. And we have just started accepting proposal from artists, musicians, designers and crafters who would like to be part of it all and conduct a class...

The application process and details of the festival can be found on the Breathing Colours blog and i hope many of you will be interested in having some fun. Its all about creating hour long classes for kids of all ages, and the more creative your ideas the better.

If you have an idea for reusing and up-cycling materials we would love to hear from you too! Go wild and go bold as there is nothing better than being a big kid and having fun with a group of eager faces and tiny hands!!

Click here for the Breathing Colours blog and get applying! 

Submissions close on May 11.

Drawing my think.

Australian artist John Olsen...

Im always fascinated by the lives of other artists.  

I love to hear how other creative types try to eek out a living, tap into their creative spirit, and balance their passions with the demands of day-to-day existence. 

In years gone past the apprentice artist would be guided by a master artist who would be older, wiser and stable in their living - able to give artistic instruction and sage advice to the would be artist. And I guess that's why I love reading about the lives of older creatives as they have LIVED it. Through all their triumphs and mistakes they are still practising their craft. 

Take, for example, 83 year old Australian artist John Olsen.

Whilst reading this story on him in The Good Weekend Magazine I collected these quotes from him that I love...

"There's no poetry in skimming the Internet. We have this explosion of information, but where is the the parallel explosion of wisdom?"

Olsen with wife Katherine... and below... a self portrait drawing, and a work in progress

Aeons ago, when Olsen taught a children's art class, he asked a six year old boy what he was doing. "I'm drawing my think", the child replied. "What a perfect answer", says Olsen. "And that's what I try to do too - I'm painting my think".

I LOVE looking at artist diaries... always interesting to get to the heart of an artists' creative thoughts...

"One benefit from growing older is that I gained the confidence to learn from my failures, so I never give up. Investigating your failures enlarges your capacity to create. ... My failure rate is still 20 to 1... But Ill start afresh each day, with an inner voice that says, 'Go on, go on', knowing that I will eventually break through". 

A beautiful Life
Writer : Janet Hawley, Photography:Tim Bauer
Good Weekend, Sydney Morning Herald, December 10-11, 2011, pg. 15-18

a month of art indulgence

And so it begins...

Well... Art Month begins. 

Since the beginning of January there have been a ton of brilliant exhibitions around town and in Canberra (yes...Canberra!).  It's been a great start to the year with many of the galleries opening early to benefit from a very wet, and very soggy Sydney summer! 

Picasso, Handwritten, Elizabeth Cummings, Realistic Landscapes at Watters Gallery, the annual masters glass exhibition at Sabbia Gallery, the Narrative Knot ceramic show at Manly, The Dobell drawing Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW... and.. and .. and..

You know I could go on! 

I have seen some amazing things in 2012 and now Art Month begins with a whole host of shows, talks, workshops, symposiums and events to make for a very busy calendar of art happenings...

Im off to see the Mike Parr exhibition at The National Art School...

Just to get my feet wet and get limbered up.

And what comes next?

I better finish reading the Art Month Blog!

memories of 2011... pt 3

Mavis Ganambarr weaving workshop as part of Sydney Design, Powerhouse Museum 2011

Something amazing happened in the creative community in 2011, that had nothing to do with art sales... or artists' egos or exhibitions! 

No - the one idea that people truly embraced this year was 'the workshop'. I know this is not a new idea, born out of obscurity. Workshops have existed since men... and women... started to draw and mark on cave walls and weave baskets for gathering food! 

What I'm talking about is the AMOUNT of workshops that sprung up this year... They were EVERYWHERE! Like pop ups... they appeared in festivals, in galleries, in community centres, and everywhere else in between. And it was so so good to see ideas and skills being shared and invested in. From big time artists', to children who were just learning how to colour in,  workshops were open to all age groups, and all cultures, and sub-cultures! 

And I loved every single one that I participated in! 

I taught!

I'm hoping that its a sign of big things to come! 

Bring on 2012... the year of creative sharing!

Master Weaver Mavis giving a demonstration

My first attempt at working with pandanus

Such a beautiful site... Naturally dyed pandanus... all ready to be woven!

From the big institution of the Powerhouse Museum... to  Manly Regional Gallery and a weaving workshop by the amazing Tjampi Women Weavers... that gave a free class as part of their exhibition Kuru Alala: Eyes Open...

From Manly... to Hyde Park and the amazing Happy Talk event as part of Art + About Sydney, October 2011.
Such a fantastic month long event that gave each and every person that walked through the door a chance
to play and get creative with Pacific Island Art....

Sione.... a beautiful person and a beautiful image of him.

It was all about colour, creativity and play!!

And finally to my childrens weaving workshops in the Blue Mountains...
so so amazing on so many levels!

How can you go wrong with all this colour and all this space!

And then receive a gift such as this!

And all begins... here.
From humble beginnings...big things come!

supporting a creative voice

Jodie Noble, The Tiger in the Sea, 2011

Start of a new week and the end of another month. Where is October hiding? Maybe this Tiger ate it? It could have happened... seriously! Baffling questions like 'Where did this year go?' deserve surreal and baffling responses I reckon. Can you believe that November starts tomorrow? I cant believe that I am already seeing Christmas decorations in the shopping centres and stores. That, my friends, is Surrealism at its finest. 

Looking back at what Ive talked about this year on this tiny blog Ive realised that there are certain things I naturally gravitate to, like photos of planned and unplanned incidents of colour, pattern + texture... art, craft and design workshops Ive been involved in... exhibitions Ive seen and loved... festivals, holidays, Sydney strolls... and developing projects and playtimes in my studio. 

But one area I have consciously or unconsciously lost focus on is the state of the arts in Sydney, and across the globe in general. Maybe because it is a difficult subject. Things are changing at a rapid rate as galleries close their doors, artists' take their art to the world wide web instead of hanging it on a wall, and the public scratch their heads and try to work out where the arts community has disappeared to. These days you need pateince, time and a brilliant GPS to find galleries, artists' and art classes, as the creative pulse seems to have skipped a few beats in past year. Sad but true. The cultural climate is changing and you have to adapt, evolve, interact and be POSITIVE in order to keep going....

One thing I seem to be intuitively doing more of these days is talk to people about art and how to get involved at whatever level that suits you. The key is to just have fun and let go. For your sanity and mental well being! Enjoy the yang to your ying and indulge the big kid in you... 

You will never be disappointed. 

And one thing I love to discover is the way in which the arts community is trying to help people be happier and healthier. Arts Project Australia is one such organisation. In existence since 1974 APA tries help people with mental disabilities get in touch with their creative heart and mind, and in the process, produce amazing artworks and happier people. Now that is something to talk about and share....! And isn't this work (above) by Jodie Noble called 'The Tiger in the Sea' amazing?? Look at that teal colour! Beautiful...

If you would like to help support a worthwhile organisation you can find out how to donate/sponsor/volunteer some Christmas goodwill to Arts Project Australia here...

Now that is one way to celebrate the wonderful + colourful world of art! x

rock my world!

I just have to say straight off the bat that after visiting this art space, my art life will never be the same again! It's sad but true! I have come back home a changed person, and its all because of one man... and one space. That being M.O.N.A in Hobart and its private owner David Walsh.

Lets start at the beginning shall we ...

When thinking about places to travel to after our Japan trip was postponed, Kylie {my good friend and like minded art nut} decided that there was one place that sounded interesting, and could be booked quickly i.e. in 2 hours. One place that we both had on our to-do lists. And that was to see visit the new private, purpose-built art space in Hobart called The Museum of Old and New Art or MONA.

And it did not disappoint. I described it the other day as crack for art lovers. And crude as that may sound, that is exactly what it is. A place where your head can, and will explode, with new ideas, new technology, and new curation.

So the day started at 11am, as we had booked our tickets for the MONA ferry the day previous. It was completely sold out on the Saturday, being all shiny and new, the place was completely swamped with art tourists from all over the country and overseas. In our queue we had people from Melbourne, Sydney and Mullumbimby! So at 11am Sunday we took the scenic ferry ride, to Berriedale which is a bit of Hobart coastline, or headland, that David has bought to house the massive museum and his winery, which sits alongside the museum! See already this space is amazing.... and bizarre!

You then walk up from the water to the entrance which is the image above. Nothing much to look at right? A small cottage with a fun-house mirror entrance way. But then you look around and things are not at all what they seem!

This is from the museum forecourt, looking out to the Hobart suburbs...

And this is when you look down! A sheer drop down, showing you that the museum is underground like a bunker.... or like one of the mills or factories that are found in Hobart. It is so unassuming and discrete and it doesn't want, or need, to be showy. That all happens when you go inside... This is looking out the other way, across the Derwent river to the other side of the city....

And of course you have to have a tennis court?! Really? We could not work this one out. Was it an artwork? A surrealist statement? A joke? If any of you know please email me and let me know....

The queue didn't take too long and once inside you were greeted by some lovely attendants that give you an i-phone, some earphones and a few instructions on how to use it. All the information about works, interviews with artists, essays, audio accounts, and of course David's thoughts on each work {under his alias GONZO} are all contained within each device. All for you... all for free! I should also say he has made it free to enter the museum too!

Then you deposit your bags in the clock room and go down...down ... down.... and, as you can see, its a long way down from the image above.

Melbourne architect Nonda Katsalidis worked closely with David to produce a space that is big, cavernous, respectful to the headlands natural elements found on site, and of course, respectful to the art. Actually the whole building is an artwork, to be admired and studied.

Makes you dizzy I know! But how spectacular? And my images do not do it justice!!

And so to the basement of the space, which is like the beginning... {see... already flipping it all on its head!!...} and straight to the bar! With David having such a love of his winery and brewery you can start the day off with a tasting. Or any thing else you fancy. And then sit back on an old chair or daybed, before immersing yourself in art.

The next few images are of the collection and the rooms. It is only to give you an idea as I feel it's difficult to do the collection or each room justice. But here is a small sample.

Above is Scar Tissue by Fiona Hall from the knitted video tape series, which was in amongst antiquities from Ancient Egypt {a favourite period for David}, and in the background you can see the sculpture of a dead horse by Berlinde De Bruyckere from Belgium called P XIII.

So as you can see ITS ALL INTEGRATED! No time lines. Like the Tate Modern but even more complex...

One of my favourite works... with its own room... is Loop System Quintet by Conrad Shawcross {England}, which renders complex light drawings with each movement from each of the five automated wooden machines.

Then you have the mezzanine floor dedicated to the face/body. Beautiful curation and beautiful collecting. In the glass case you can see Head of a Man, Italy, 1600-1700. And its all dark and moody...

This is looking down onto a massive Damien Hirst and a lovely wooden sculpture installation by Jon Pylypchuk {USA} which was quirky and just a little bit crafty!

And finally ...

A shot of the central atrium, which is as confusing as it is fun! David wanted to play with our minds, and so he did! But I loved it. No uniformity, no history, no chronology, no ordered displays or rooms, or numbers on works. Just chaos theory at it finest. Applied to art. Old and new. And in my mind its f*&kin brilliant!

So I came, I stayed 6 hours, I had a lovely drink at the bar to take it all in.

And it was NOT enough!

I will be back.