Places & Spaces

Farewell Places & Spaces

2011-10-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from Gulgong after taking the exhibition down.
Brooke & Jayne were a great help and we finished packing everything up in no time!

I would like to thank the Cudgegong gallery team for the opportunity to curate a show in their beautiful heritage space - it has been an absolute pleasure!
Thank you for all of your help, hard work and moral support - I wish you all the best with your future exhibition programs and events.

I couldn't have put the show together with out all of the talented artists! Thank you for your patience and kindness. It has been a pleasure working with you and a privlidge to bring your work to regional nsw audiences.

I hope our paths cross again in the future & please keep in touch!

I would also like to thank:
Where is the art?
Mudgee Guardian
Wellington Times
Hunter Arts Network
Craft Australia
NAVA

More pics from the opening...

2011-09-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

Things have been a bit hectic since I returned from Gulgong....but thought I should share a few more pics of the opening and of the beautiful work created for Cudgegong Gallery.

Installation shot with Phoebe Miller's textile work in the foreground and Isobel Pegrum's Spoiled for Choice ceramic work to the right.

Chloe Waddell's intricately, layered pieces - New York, New York.

Laura McKellar's gorgeous hand embroidered artwork.

Kat Freene's Butterfly brooches.

Sophie Milne's subtle ceramic collections.

My overly-friendly dog Roxy couldn't wait to run into the gallery and meet everyone! Thankfully Matina and Isobel's family distracted roxy in a nearby park for a while.

Kim V Goldsmith took a snap of artists (from left to right) Matina Bourmas, (curator) Zara Collins, Graeme Bannerman, Isobel Pegrum and her son Gus.
We are standing amoungst Phoebe Miller's beautiful fabric necklaces hung from the gallery ceiling.

Interviews with Graeme Bannerman & Zara Collins

2011-09-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Where is the art? has featured Places & Spaces exhibition this month, including two interviews conducted by Kim V Goldsmith with artist Graeme Bannerman & curator Zara Collins.
Graeme's interview is particuarly good.
Have a listen...

http://qandartonwita.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/places-spaces-cudgegong-gallery/

Where is the Art? is an online service provided by OCHRE COMMUNICATIONS www.ochrecommunications.com.au

Many thanks Kim, keep up the good work!

Craft Australia - where are they now?

2011-09-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

Little blurb about the exhibition opening and a lovely exchange of information and ideas between a Gulgong local and artist Graeme Bannerman.

http://craftaustralia.blogspot.com/2011/09/tales-of-adventure-where-are-they-now_08.html

Wellington Times

2011-09-12T16:46:00.000-07:00

Little blurb in the local rag...

http://www.wellingtontimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/sneak-peek-for-wello/2284198.aspx

Places & Spaces exhibition opening

2011-09-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful spring day with the smell of wattle and blossoms in the air....

About 30-40 guests attended the combined opening reception of Places & Spaces exhibition and the Tablelands exhibition. It was a lovely afternoon spent with a few of the artists who travelled from Sydney including Graeme Bannerman, Matina Bourmas, Isobel Pegrum & Chloe Waddell - my sincere gratitude to the artists, friends and colleagues who made the treck out to Gulgong. Much appreciated!

Graeme Bannerman, drink in hand - standing near Sophie Milne's ceramic work & Laura McKellar's hand embroidered piece behind.

Never one for public speaking (stomach in knots)...I made a short, sharp and shiny welcoming speech.

Kim Goldsmith, artist, marketing/publicity extraordinaire and the 'brains' behind WITA -Where is the Art? website for Regional NSW arts, conducted an interview with Graeme Bannerman and I. Frank from the Wellington Times took a bevvy of photos of artists, guests and artworks.

Support crew!

A big thanks again to Graeme Bannerman, Matina Bourmas, Isobel Pegrum & family, Chloe Waddell & friends for making it to the opening & being a part of the show. A special thanks to Liz, Scott, Luke & Helen for coming out to Mudgee and sharing wine, yummy local produce and stories around the fire.

All roads lead to Mudgee...

2011-09-06T01:23:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy leaving Sydney and hitting the road, I couldn't wait to get back to the Mudgee Region after my first time there in autumn 2010 on an artist-in-residency.

With the help of the Cudgegong Gallery Team – the set up was smooth and without incident! All artworks arrived in time with no breakages. Cudgegong Gallery is a beautiful heritage building with pristine white washed walls and light floor boards –such a bright and airy space! What a wonderful blank canvas to work with!

Phoebe Miller's neckpieces hanging above

Mudgee Guardian popped in to the gallery for a quick interview and a random photoshoot in front of numerous historic buildings in Gulgong. We also got a plug on ABC radio on Wednesday 30 August. Look out for future blogs featuring media and links to interviews.

Graeme Bannerman's Spannerotozoa installation above

John, Jayne, Brooke & Sue were amazing during the install – so helpful! I appreciate all of the support and favours granted! I couldn’t have done it without all of your dedication.

I would also like to thank John’s sister Margaret for generously allowing me to stay at her amazing stone farm house halfway between Gulgong and Mudgee – gorgeous views, clean air and quiet was a superb way to wind down after a day of installing.

Unpacking the artworks is just like unwrapping xmas presents! So exciting…

Hot off the press - the Goldenink duo sent us a wonderful collection of new jewellery designs, small objects and vessels.

George Plionis - feature artist

2011-08-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

I first met George when we were both working at Object Gallery/Object Store when the Australian Centre for Craft & Design was located at Customs House, Circular Quay. George is well loved for his generous personality and great sense of humour! He is also one of Australia's most talented jewellery designers, with tight technical skills and inventive ideas coming together seamlessly in his contemporary pieces.

I am thrilled to bring George's organic, tactile wearable series 'Beneath the Sea' to Cudgegong Gallery.

George Plinonis
Born: Streaky Bay, SA
Live: Sydney, NSW
A favourite place: I have memories of my child hood, growing up on the 'The Great Australian Bight'. The terrain was untouched and raw, cliff faces that met the waters edge, white sands that would stretch as far as the eye could see, the vegetation, resilient and the environment, harsh and uncompromising. These memories bind me to Australia and the ocean.
A place you would like to spend more time: My partner is from Finland. I've been lucky enough to have visited once but really need to get back to visit more. I would love to experience the white blanket of winter, go north to visit 'the northern lights' and see the extreme of that country's weather.
A place in the world you would like to visit: My culture has sprung from Greece. As an adolescent I was never really interested in my history. As I've become older, the history of my family has become more and more important to me. I'd love to visit my 'mother land' meet my family and hear the stories that have been the reason my parents have become the people they are.

To see more of George’s design work please visit his re-developed website:
www.georgeplionis.com

Sophie Milne - September Feature Artist

2011-08-31T17:52:00.001-07:00

Sophie Milne's work has a delicate sensibility and sensuousness - hand thrown porcelain, hand coloured porcelain and careful inlaying on the vessel surface. Her new work for the Places & Spaces exhibition, features the most beautiful hues of blue; subtle yet bright and joyous. Her second collection of bottles and beakers in creamy, beige tones with bleached inlaid lines are exquisite.

I am pleased to present her new collection at Cudgegong Gallery - where Sophie has exhibited previously and is a firm favourite with the gallery team.

Sophie Milne
Born: Melbourne
Lives: Melbourne
Favourite Place: home
A place you would like to spend more time: my studio
A place in the world you would like to visit: Yesterday I was thinking about Croatia, today Russia looks intriguing, tomorrow - well I'd be happy to go anywhere really.

For more information on Sophie's work please visit:
www.sophiemilne.com.au
www.sixhundreddegrees.blogspot.com

Isobel Pegrum - Feature Artist

2011-08-24T00:45:00.000-07:00

The first time I ever saw Isobel’s work was at Gallery 19 in Sydney’s Chinatown. She was working with de-contructed photographic images and voyeuristic photos of high density apartment living in her ‘ever-changing’ neighbourhood of Coogee.

She is an artist that enjoys the challenge of new materials and ideas – she has recently embarked on a journey with ceramics and the tactile handmade object. She juggles family life (two gorgeous children) and completing her Bachelor of Teaching, Sydney University earlier this year.

I look forward to exhibiting Isobel’s ceramic pieces in Places & Spaces and seeing the development of this cute and tactile work.

Isobel Pegrum
Born: Canberra, ACT
Live: Marrickville, Sydney
A favourite place: The breakfast table
A place you would like to spend more time: In the sea
A place in the world you would like to visit: Lake Eyre

Chloe Waddell - Feature Artist

2011-08-16T15:05:00.001-07:00

Chloe Waddell was managing Breathing Colours Gallery in Sydney's Balmain when we first met. After years of creative committment and hard work she decided to leave Breathing Colours to concentrate on her own work.

She has just returned from whirlwind travels all over the globe. I am excited to see Chloe's work move in a different direction and am thrilled to exhibit her new wall works and brooches inspired by one of the most exciting cities in the world New York!

Chloe Waddell
Born: Dubbo, Australia
Live: Leichhardt, Sydney, Australia
A favourite place: my backyard
A place you would like to spend more time: The Greek Islands
A place in the world you would like to visit: Tasmania

For more information on Chloe's work please check out the link below:

http://kitandcaboodle.ning.com/profile/ChloeWaddell

Feature Artist - Kate Dunn

2011-08-14T00:56:00.001-07:00

In 2002 Kate Dunn and I both travelled to Chicago for SOFA (sculpture objects and functional art exposition) where we were both exhibiting new work with Australian galleries. We had met in Sydney before but developed our friendship during our short but hectic time in the windy city. Days were spent at SOFA and nights were spent socialising with international artists, curators and gallery owners - and of course listening to Chicago blues!

Kate is currently working towards her Masters of Fine Arts at Sydney College of the Arts, where she is also a casual lecturer in the Ceramics Studio.

I look forward to presenting her new work at Cudgegong Gallery in September.

Kate Dunn
Born:Sydney, Australia
Live: Sydney, Australia
A favourite place: my back deck
A place you would like to spend more time: my studio
A place in the world you would like to visit: Barcelona!

Carlie Morris - feature artist

2011-08-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

Carlie Morris is like a bower bird collecting bits and pieces to incorporate into her jewellery designs. Combining found tit-bits, silver and a good dose of flair she creates gorgeous wearables. Carlie studied at Enmore Design Centre and continues to juggle her jewellery practice and two young children.

Carlie has created a collection of wooden brooches which will be exhibited at Cudgegong Gallery, I look forward to presenting her new work in Places & Spaces.

Carlie Morris
Born: Sydney
Live: Sydney
A favourite place: my favourite place is in the water, preferably a natural source, and even more preferably with my two boys climbing over me and my dog nearby chasing the splashes.

A place you would like to spend more time: see above, a close second would be New York City.

A place in the world you would like to visit: Oh the world is such a big place! I think Denmark might please all at the moment, all that marimekko and lego.

Feature Artist - Jason Moss

2011-07-31T21:05:00.000-07:00

I first met Jason Moss many years ago when we were both working at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art - Bookshop. We soon discovered a shared passion for good wine, gourmet food and Australian jewellery design.

Jason spent two years in the Jam Factory's 'Associate Program'in the Metal Studio.
I was lucky enough to spend nine months working within the Metal Studio at the Jam Factory during 2003 and was blown away by the sheer volume of exhibitions, public art projects, commissions and individual production work that was produced by the Associates. No doubt this intense period at the Jam Factory's was extremely fruitful for Jason.

Jason established Jason Moss Design in 1999 and soon after set up his own studio/gallery on South Dowling Street Darlinghurst. I am pleased to exhibit a beautiful collection his work including men's cufflinks and women's neckpieces in the Places & Spaces exhibition.

Jason Moss
Born: Melbourne, raised in Port Macquarie, NSW.

Live: Darlinghurst, Sydney. Darlinghurst is my favourite part of Sydney. I dont have a drivers licence, Im a walker. Darlinghurst has an amazing history and walking through this suburb you can imagine Sydney in the 1920's. I encourage anyone with an interest in Australian history to read 'Razor' by Larry Writer.

Favourite place: Hawkesbury River District, NSW. I think it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen – with the light bouncing off the sandstone cliffs, water and gum trees.

A place I would like to spend more time: I’m in love with the arctic circle after back packing through Finland a few years ago. Northern Finland is this strange place with weeks of continual light and dark. From this area of the world you can observe the 'aurora borealis' or Northern Lights, I haven’t seen them yet as I was there in summer. I would also like to visit the laponia National Park in Sweden and the Labrador Region of Northern Canada.

A place I would like to visit: Still haven’t driven around New Zealand or been to Western Australia, Argentina: Beuno Aries and the Southern Patagonia District. I would love to see the glaciers down there. I love visiting cold places. After growing up in a sub-tropical area and living in Sydney, I find the cold exotic.

For more information on Jason Moss' work:
www.jasonmoss.com.au

July Feature artist - Laura McKellar

2011-07-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

Laura McKellar is an artist with a wonderful, playful sensibility. Her work sensitively combines what looks like 1960s & 1970s 'sewing pattern' photography with a whimsical fantasy-land. Her lovingly embroidered artworks and illustrations are a welcome feature in the Places & Spaces exhibition.

Laura also created the Places & Spaces ID for the team - many thanks!

Laura McKellar
Born: Melbourne
Live: Melbourne
A favourite place: North Stradbroke Island, Queensland
A place you would like to spend more time: Istanbul
A place in the world you would like to visit: The Blue Grotto at the Isle of Capri

http://www.lauramckellar.com
www.lauramckellar.blogspot.com

Zoe Brand - June featured artist

2011-06-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Zoe Brand is a brilliant contemporary jewellery maker, wearer, curator and writer. Her work is marked by humour, irony and very clever but simple ideas. I first met Zoe at Gaffa Gallery and admired her passion and commitment to contemporary jewellery practice. I am pleased to present her ‘speech bubble’ brooches in the Places & Spaces exhibition. I do have one regret - I wish I purchased her fantastic piece “Sorry I wasn’t really listening” from the Box Project exhibition, which was another fine example of her cheeky humour.

http://theboxproject.tumblr.com/

Zoe Brand
A favourite place: Queensland Art Gallery
A place you would like to spend more time: Auckland, NZ
A place in the world you would like to visit: The top of a nice grassy
knoll, anywhere in the world.

http://mwvbrand.blogspot.com/
www.gaffa.com.au

June Feature Artists - Katherine Wheeler & Abby Seymour

2011-05-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

I first came across the Goldenink collaboration between Katherine Wheeler & Abby Seymour at Gaffa Gallery in Sydney. Their collaborative exhibition was a perfect marriage between ceramics, illustration, printing, jewellery and paper. Beautifully executed pieces and an playful sense of style - I wasn't surprised this Melbourne duo's work has been so well received!

I couldn't resist purchasing one of their pieces from the exhibition - the silver and ceramic long neckpiece has been a staple in my wardrobe ever since! I look forward to seeing what these talented women create for the exhibition in Gulgong.

This collaborative duo have some amazing studio spaces they work in together and independantly...

Katherine Wheeler
Born: Castlemaine, Victoria
Live: Ascot Vale, Melbourne
A favourite place: Remote beaches, anywhere.
A place you would like to spend more time: North Queensland coast
A place in the world you would like to visit: India

For more info on the Goldenink Collaborative, Abby or Katherine:

goldenink.com.au
katherinewheeler.com.au
katherinewheeler.blogspot.com
http://abbyseymour.tumblr.com/

Feature Artist - Matina Bourmas

2011-05-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

I first met Matina at Sydney College of the Arts, during our undergraduate studies. She always had an eye for detail and I respected the time and patience she spent working on her pieces. She was beginning to work on some ephemeral, site specific work with icing sugar - that I responded to immediately. (Please see the article below by Vivian Spadaro which was published in the JMGA-NSW Newsletter for more information). I look forward to exhibiting a small collection of Matina's delicate jewellery pieces in September.

Born: Adelaide, Australia
Live: Sydney, Australia
Favourite Place: Braidwood, NSW & Port Willunga, SA
A Place you would like to spend more time in: Gothenborg & Athens
A Place in the world you would like to visit: Chicago

http://www.jmgansw.org.au/

http://www.runway.org.au/

Wishful thinking....

2011-05-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a studio like...

Abby Seymour, all that space and gorgeous printing equipment!
goldenink.com.au

Liana Kabel - love the colour, the order and the light streaming in
lianakabel.com

Or perhaps...

Phoebe Miller - devine wall of colour coded fabrics, clean surfaces and space.
http://simplyphoebe.com.au

Katherine Wheeler's - intriugingly productive space!
goldenink.com.au

I think I have a mild case of studio envy...
My porn pink walls may get that much needed paint job - sooner rather than later!!(the walls haven't been painted since I moved in back in 2001!) And the dream of a big backyard shed - well that may be for my next life - unless I move to the country!

zaracollins.com

May feature artist - Graeme Bannerman

2011-05-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

One of the first times I ever encountered Graeme Bannerman’s work was at his solo exhibition ‘Rent’ at Gallery 19 in Sydney’s Chinatown. He basically moved into the gallery space: bed, dining table, chairs, sofa, motorbike (off-street parking), a blow up pool and a collection of his favourite artworks and produced site-specific works drawn directly on the wall. Bruce James (art critic) called his exhibition a ‘dereliction’ and praised Greame’s parody of the sky high prices artists pay to exhibit their work and the declining artist-run-spaces in Sydney at the time (1997). Greame works with ceramics, photo-media, sculpture and installation. When Graeme is not making art, furniture, riding his motorbike, renovating his terrace or walking his dog, he is a Senior Art Teacher at Waverley College, specialising in ceramics and visual arts. I am pleased to bring Graeme’s ceramic installation to Cudgegong Gallery.

Graeme Bannerman
Born: Darlinghurst
Live: Darlinghurst
A favourite place: A cave in the clifftop at Thompson’s Bay
A place you would like to spend more time: The bath
A place in the world you would like to visit: Kazikstan and Trenchtown, Jamacia.

Unlike most people these days, Graeme refuses to have a credit card, a mobile phone or a facebook page. (Its quite refreshing!)

Artist of the month - Kat Freene!

2011-03-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

Butterfly

I first met Kat during an artist residency in the Metal Studio at the Jamfactory, Adelaide during 2003. Her work was always ecclectic, exciting and full of irony and humour. I am thrilled to have Kat onboard this project and look forward to showcasing some of her new work using reclaimed biscuit tins.

'Soon to be jewellery...'

Corsage (Large)

Kat Freene
Born:Adelaide, South Australia
Live: Adelaide, South Australia
A favourite place: Second Valley, Fleurieu Pennisula SA
A place you would like to spend more time: Second Valley
A place in the world you would like to visit: Vietnam

www.katrinafreene.com.au
http://www.piecesofeight.com.au/artists/freene.html
http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/blog/2011/01/featured-designer-katrina-freene/
www.jamfactory.com.au

Simply Phoebe:feature artist...

2011-03-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

I first spotted Phoebe's work in Sterling at Gaffa Gallery. I loved the simplicity of the technique, the wearability and the tactile quality of her neckpieces. Shortly after seeing her work, I was re-visiting a suitcase full of collected pieces of fabric and embroidery. The Japanese obi and kimono fabric remnants would be amazing made into a Simply Phoebe creation. She did an amazing job - I love it!

Phoebe Miller Born: Roma, Queensland Live: North Melbourne A favourite place: Johanna Beach, Victoria A place you would like to spend more time: New York A place in the world you would like to visit: Finland

www.simplyphoebe.com.au
www.facebook.com/SimplyPhoebe
twitter.com/simply_phoebe