Venice art binge

I came. I saw. I drank it ALL in.

Venice every two years becomes an art lovers paradise - and if you're lucky enough to experience the pleasures of Venice while completely draped with art from across the world then you are a truly lucky person indeed.

This year I was able to spend five days walking, thinking, exploring and playing in Venice...

and have to say it was truly amazing.

The 56th Venice Biennale curated by Okwui Enwezo entitled All the Worlds Futures was a smorgasbord of colours, ideologies, textures and technologies - and it took me two days to fully devour it all. Some of my favourite National pavilions in The Giardini were the Australian, the Japanese, the French, the English and the Dutch. And Ive got a few photos of those pavilions to share. 

But what I truly loved was all the off site shows that were scattered around the city like gold dust. You needed a map and alot of energy and patience to see them all - and believe me - I only managed to find a handful of them. But the hunt was worth the effort. Each time Id find an exhibition down a dark alleyway I always felt like I had achieved a tiny victory... and that the complicated network of Venetian streets hadnt beaten me!

Two other non Biennale exhibitions that I loved were Paradise : a solo exhibition of Cy Twombly's work, and Proportio: an incredibly detailed and poetic group show that was exhibited in the Palazzo Fortuny. Both left me completely inspired and excited, as they were so special and so incredibly unique. 

I know we are lucky enough to have some great galleries and exhibitions here in Australia but seeing these shows in a city like Venice felt like a gift. 

I hope you enjoy these few photos I have from my trip in June...

Chiharu Shiota, The Key in the Hand, installation, Japanese Pavillion

Fiona Hall, Wrong Way Time, installation, Australian Pavillion 

Woven pieces by The Tjampi Desert Weavers
- part of Fiona Hall's artwork installation in the Australian Pavillion 

Revolutions by Celeste Boursier-Mougenot in the French Pavillion

One of two amazing sculptural pieces by Jaume Plensa (Barcelona) entitled Together
that was installed in the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore on the Island of San Giorgio

This was the second sculpture by Jaume Plensa that was in the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore.
This steel hand looked like it was floating about the Nave

The first room of the Proportio exhibition in the Palazzo Fortuny -
curated by Axel Vervoordt & Daniela Ferretti.
Blew my mind!!

Anish Kapoor installation

Lucia Bru installation entitled Aerocubes (2015)

Art and wall textures merge!
Painting by Kees Goudzwaard called Build Up (2014)

Two beautiful Cy Twombly paintings
from his solo exhibition at Ca' Pesaro Museo in Venice. 

Posters line the streets of Venice letting you know that you are surrounded by art art art!!

the design files

Getting our photo for The Design Files before Saturdays opening of art/vert
... at Saint Cloche in Paddington.
Photo Credit: Nikki To for The Design Files
(from left) Luisa Brimble, Evo O, me, Tara Burke, Alex Standen,
Emily Besser, Amber Cresswell Bell, Fiona Chandler, Ali Wood and Alison Fraser
(and missing from the pic... Drew Truslove)

What a weekend.

What an opening.

And its all documented for posterity on The Design Files today. 

Thank you Amber for all your hard work and for putting together such a lovely show. 

And thank you to Kitty and all the people that worked so tirelessly to get the Saint Cloche gallery space, and this show, off the ground - in January!!

It really is a beautiful concept... art and plant-life exhibited together in a light filled and airy gallery space. All the artists have created a unique collection of works all responding to the idea of nature and landscape. And all of the ten artists involved seemed to have created a series that is harmony with everyone else on display. Which is rare!

The exhibition is open everyday (10-5pm) at Saint Cloche until Sunday Feb 8. 

I know ill be back a few more times to enjoy it.

In situ... and surrounded by beautiful greenery.
Photo Credit: Amber Creswell Bell

(from left)
The work of Evi O, Emily Besser, Luisa Brinble, Evi O and Drew Truslove

The beautiful, light filled space of Saint Cloche in Paddington
Photo Credit: Nikki To for The Design Files

(from left) Emily Besser, Luisa Brimble, Evi O and a whole lot of lovely plants...
Photo Credit: Nikki To for The Design Files

n e w

New year. New exhibition. New series of works. New art space for sydney.

Happy new year everyone.

Oh it feels like FOREVER since Ive been on this little blog.

Too much has been happening - on both sides of the pendulum - and I know I  was just holding on by the ends of my fingertips in December. Time had a mind of its own and however I tried to slow things down and really concentrate on one task at a time - I knew things were going to happen of their own accord - and I had to let go. 

But now its 2015.

A year that holds so much excitement and promise.

And to start things off on a creative note, I have just come back from a week of teaching at Sturt College in Mittagong which was amazing as always. I will post some of those images in the coming days as I still have to go through them all. I had such a great class, with each person creating the most beautiful series of drawings and coil woven artworks...  

But today I have a new group exhibition to announce. 

A few months ago the lovely Amber Creswell -Bell, a writer from Sydney, asked me and nine other painters, designers, photographers and ceramicists to participate in a concept show for a new space in Paddington in Sydney. Along with our work Amber and the director of the gallery, Kitty, will be exhibiting some beautiful plant-life. 

So I know it will be a colourful, textural and inspiring show. 

What a way to start the year ...

New palette and new ideas for this series that focused on garden life and the energy that exists in
green spaces.

This drawing feels like a cross over piece - from the work for my solo show in August to this series about nature.

Lots of words.... lots of ideas.
After visiting The Botanical Gardens I wrote a poem and then threaded it through a few of the drawings.

While I was working in the studio at the end of last year there were some amazing storms
that hit Sydney.... and that energy seems to have found its way into this drawing.

Lots of energy... that will hopefully translate into lots of happy play, travel and  adventure for 2015!

with five minutes to go....

 .... I was quickly photographing Koskela's workshop room before my sold out weaving workshop began. 

And then....

it was over! 

In the blink of an eye. 

And I was left with no images of the amazing people who came to play. 

It was such a fun class - with so many lovely people that I hope I get to see them - and their colourful creations at another workshop sometime soon.

r a d e l a i d e

*some of the amazing pieces that were started at Sundays weaving workshop at Gate8 studios in Thebarton last month*

The space! The space! Isnt it amazing?!
In a previous life - Gate8 was a Baptist Church in the working class suburb of Thebarton.
Now it houses 6 brilliant Australian artists, who have helped to restore and bring new life into the crumbling bones of this unique and historical space.

It was a full house at Saturdays weaving workshop...

...and as we worked we marvelled in wonder at all the artistic details
that were to be found on the ceilings, walls and floors.

Looks a little like The Last Supper... 

In the back workshop  - Deb Jones has created a truly brilliant space for her machines and tools.
And above it all sits the neon artwork by Neil Roberts (1954-2002) who was a true master craftsman.

Graffiti bathroom floor sketches by the talented Deb Jones.

Amazing woven artwork created by one of the students
 who had already envisaged how and where final piece and would sit in her home.
And if ever an artwork suited the personality of the maker - this weaving is it!

As you can see from this tiny recap - my weaving workshops in Adelaide last month were truly special.

Before I left Sydney I had no idea of the space, the people who would be coming, the warm and generous welcome I would receive, and the inspiration I would take back home with me.

It was a brilliant experience that could not have happened without the help of so many lovely people. So in a very Academy Awards acceptance speech type of way (before the music rolls on to tell me to get off the stage) I just wanted to quickly thank the beautiful Lauren Simeoni who did so much to make everyone feel so welcome (she even made a huge pot of home-made soup each day for all the students), Deb Jones, Honor Freeman, Rachel Harris, Katrina Freene (and her mum), Jess Loughlin, Christine Cholewa, Karen Zadra, and Mel Young who set the wheels in motion with the initial idea in the first place. 

Thank you everyone as I could have done it all without you....

I hope everyone who came along enjoyed their time making, chatting, laughing and playing. I really loved meeting so many new people and I hope to do it all again soon!! Fingers crossed.

details from dreaming

Details from Tracey Deeps beautiful exhibition at Koskela

It's difficult to write about this exhibition that I went to see at Koskela last week.
Writing about it would be similar to describing Vegemite to someone who has never tasted it before
You know that conversation that carries on forever until you say  - 'You've just got to try it!'?!

Well - it's the same in this situation.
I could talk on and on about Tracey Deep's exhibition entitled Dreaming - but - you just have to see it!
If not in person than in photos.

Tracey's work is amazingly beautiful from up close and 20 metres away.
Its textural, complex, thoughtful and in many cases - HUGE!
That is why the industrial walls of Koskela seemed to be made for her.

Its rare to see a gallery space and an artists' work match each other perfectly.
But when it does.... its magic.
...........

Dreaming by Tracey Deep is on show at Koskela until July 2.
And if you would like to know more about Tracey , her artwork +  new workshops at Koskela,
please have a look here...

This was one of my favourite pieces by Tracey...

So so many different textures...

... and they seamlessly blended with Koskela's industrial walls.

Oh - to have this on your wall!

A wall view of Tracey's beautiful exhibition.

in the detail

second koskela weaving workshop

its true what they say...

it's all the details.

I had another brilliant time on Saturday for my second weaving workshop this month at Koskela, as I was privileged to meet another lovely group of people who were keen to create a handmade object of their very own.

I loved watching everyone pick up their materials and click their hands + fingers into creative overdrive, while chatting with new faces seated round them.

Many had never tried weaving before. 

So it was amazing to see everyone leave the class with the beginnings of a beautiful object.

It was a really lovely morning. 

Within a space that is so inviting and inspiring. 

After I had packed my car with all my materials I decided to unwind by walking around Koskela's showroom floor, so I could take in all the beautiful colours, textures and patterns that are displayed on every surface. 

And as you can see from these few photos, I got inspired by all the details.

In even the most humblest of surfaces. 

It really is the little things...

That make me happy.

{studio warming} party.

^ white room studio, after the open weekend ^

Boy - what a lovely weekend!
A massive thank you to everyone who came along to the open studios weekend!
It was such a great turn out... with many great introductions, conversations + connections made.
It felt like a house warming party, with coffee + cake from Black Star Pastry included!
{thank you mel, jess + dom}

I had kids drawing, I had dogs surveying, and I had many questions asked, and (hopefully) answered.
It really was a great way to start my residency. 
And a great way to celebrate a new creative space in the heart of this fantastic neighbourhood!

After everyone left on Sunday afternoon I had a chance to sit... and draw... in my tiny diary.
I was back to researching and playing with ideas for this new series.
Things were back to being quiet and still.

{Then I took this photo.}

^ landscapes ^

Detail of a work by Holly Grace....

Way back when I was a teeny tiny lady... just back from living in Scotland... I was lucky enough to work for a beautiful gallery in the heart of Sydney called Quadrivium. It was an amazing space in the Queen Victoria Building, representing Australian and New Zealand artists' in glass, ceramics, jewellery and fine art. 

At the time I was 24 -and in a word - uneducated to this side of the art scene. 

I mean, I loved art that pushed the boundaries and worked with texture and interesting materials. But this was a whole other ball game and I was a complete rookie! Luckily I worked with an amazing group of people who worked me hard and gave me a new perspective and appreciation to the artists that we represented.  

And now.... many of my good friends are ceramicists and jewellers. 

And they have shown me a bigger picture to all things artistic, crafted + creative.

Sadly Quadrivium closed its doors in 2004 but the people that I worked with are still in the game. One of which is my old manager, Anna Grigson, who now owns an amazing glass gallery in Paddington with her sister Maria Grimaldi, called Sabbia Gallery. 

This time every year the gallery curates a group exhibition which highlights amazing glass artists from across the country. And this year its was called Landscapes.

I was fortunate to catch it before it closes on Saturday.

And these are a few photos that I took on the day.

Now - these photos are not a true reflection of how beautiful the work is. I apologise. 

Shooting glass is a skill ive never been able to muster! 

But I hope they give you a small indication of how amazing it is....

Another image of the amazing glasswork of Holly Grace.

Holly Grace to the left; in the centre are works by Lisa Cahill,; and on the right is a green glass vessel form by Elizabeth McClure

Close up of Elizabeth McClure beautifully cut glass vessel.
And on the wall is Lisa Cahills' wall formed glass installation piece entitled Whisper 2012

Orb glass piece by Holly Grace stands in the front window of the gallery

Two amazing pieces by Brendan Scott French

And finally, one of my favourite pieces in the show... from Lisa Cahill.
Can you see the rooftops of Paris embedded in the glass?

Landscape - Masters of Glass 2013
Cahill.Cockburn.French.Grace.Loughlin.McClure
30 January - 23 February 2013
Sabbia Gallery
120 Glemore Road
Paddington
www.sabbiagallery.com