Dianne Murphy

Dianne MURPHY

ARTIST STATEMENT

Distinctively different - Dianne’s bead and Gumnut jewellery.

Inspired by the unique Australian flora, Dianne grew up, appreciating all that rural Australia had to offer. From a young age, she has always had a talent and aptitude for creative arts and crafts. From winning prizes at school to making the most of farming life, Dianne has always been resourceful in her creative endeavours.

Her love of Australia is reflected in her work from blanket making to native Australian forestry, and even a vast array of bead craft. As often described in Australia’s rich history of Bush poetry, Dianne has known times of drought and difficulty. Creating through such adversity is what has sustained and nourished her spirit.

Dianne continues to practice her passion for celebrating Australia through arts and craft. At present, she is focused on authentic Australian jewellery. She has designed and crafted the “My Australiana” jewellery line. This unique brand, through its use of native gumnuts and seed pods, highlights the natural beauty of the Aussie bush!

Dianne is both creator and teacher. She makes time to impart her creative wisdom and skills, wherever the opportunity arises. From Byron to Bourke and beyond, Dianne’s travels continue to inspire her clever creations, whether it’s her daughter, granddaughters, or those in new generations, Dianne’s commitment to Australian arts and crafts. Continue to blaze a Trail for new and upcoming artists.

CONTACT

Email: diannesdesigns@bigpond.com

James Haselwood

James Haselwood

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Professional musician

ARTIST STATEMENT

James Haselwood is a highly active live and recording Bass player within the Australian music scene. First arriving in the broader spotlight as a member of the Dissociatives (featuring Daniel Johns[Silverchair], Paul Mac and the Presets) in 2005. From there his career has extended to working with a diverse spectrum of artists in Australia and internationally including: Natalie Imbruglia, Mia Dyson, Dan Akroyd, Jon Cleary(New Orleans), Alex Lloyd, Tina Harrod to name a few. The Kev Carmody live DVD recorded at the State Theatre featuring Paul Kelly another highlight. After living and performing in NYC James returned to Australia to take care of bass duties on the 2014 series of The Voice Australia featuring Will.i.am and Kylie Minogue. Following that James spent several years touring and recording with Kasey Chambers. Recorded Bass on the soundtrack for the Emmy award winning netflix series “Beatbugs” Currently touring and recording with Tim Minchin and about to pick up the 2021 “back” tour

BIO

Bachelor of contemporary music (Southern Cross University) 20 years performing nationally and internationally . Recording for film and television. Writing music for documentaries.

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CONTACT

jhaselwood@mac.com
0412 171 294

Anne Bell/Anne Knight

Anne Bell (writer/poetry); Anne Knight (visual arts)

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Writing, poetry and visual arts.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Anne suspects that both writing and visual arts are a compulsive form of communication (even if she is only talking to herself!). She prefers to portray wonders rather than woes in both mediums, and values the remarkable wonder of individuality. "I went mushrooming over the hill on a morning clear as thrushes' song. I brought my bucket back empty, but my five senses were filled to the brim by the overflowing day."

Anne Bell: Has published various journals and some 30 anthologies. She began writing for The School Magazine (Department of Education) when her own children where young, and has happily continued. She has twice won the Henry Lawson Award and her book "Muster me a Song" was short-listed for the Premier's Prize and a CBA Notable Book. Commissions include "Corrugations", a poem for an artist's book with lino-cuts by Kate Clemson (UK) - with a copy in the National Library, Canberra, and libraries elsewhere. Anne Knight: Has exhibited widely throughout the north and northwest of NSW and elsewhere, including mixed exhibitions, group and two-person exhibitions with Pat Rowley. Her solo exhibitions have included exhibitions at Crisp Galleries (Yass). She has work in Artbank, Gunnedah, Somerset (UK) and various private collections, including a commission for Grace Brothers. She has conducted various workshops and tech classes and worked with Katie Clemson in the UK and Pat Rowley at Gunnedah. Her awards include Best in Show at Frost Over Barraba, the North-West Art Prize and Works on Paper, Narrabri. She is eternally grateful to Enid Dickson and Joy Ewart, inspired teachers during her school years.

CONTACT

bellknight@westnet.com
6742 1693

Brittany Riley

Brittany Riley

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Author, writer, poet

ARTIST STATEMENT

Brittany is a homegrown Gunnedah girl with a passion for writing and the arts. She self-published her debut YA urban fantasy novel, Enchantment, in the U.S in 2016 at just twenty-two. Amongst writing the other books in the series, she's working on a number of other creative projects and is studying writing and screenwriting through the University of New England. When she's not in front of her computer screen, she's drinking coffee or admiring her beautiful cats.

CONTACT

Brittany.riley19@hotmail.com
0467 869 184

Jade Punch

Jade Punch

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Watercolour, acrylic, mixed medium, sustainable art (waste art)

ARTIST STATEMENT

Jade Punch is a vibrant and versatile artist who loves a challenge. Her own business, Jade Punch Art, showcases her work in a variety of mediums from watercolour to oils, and printmaking to collage. You might enjoy her work on a traditional canvas, or on less traditional objects such as "found" items, creating something beautiful out of something that has been discarded. Jade enjoys sharing her knowledge through art workshops for children, teaching beginners knowledge, or running specially designed classes such as collaborative book making and mixed medium. She held the position of Vice-President of Arts Gunnedah in 2018 and 2019, and brightens the lives of Gunnedah people by gifting them with artworks.

BIO

Jade's work has won recognition at the Gunnedah Show and in Gunnedah's Annual Art and Ceramics Exhibition, as well as the 2017 Biannual Waste Into Art Exhibition. She participated in the planning and execution of the first annual Gunnedah Collective Carnival Day in 2017, encouraging community participation in a collective artwork. Jade is known for her bright and bubbly personality as well as her artworks, and is a keen supporter of community art.

CONTACT

jadepunchart@gmail.com
0422 170 476

Shirley Urquhart

Shirley Urquhart

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Watercolour artist and printmaker.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Relatively new as an art practitioner, I began watercolour lessons 16 years ago. Realising this was a difficult medium to master, I had always admired the glow, freshness and spontaneity of watercolour painting. Immediately, I took advantage of Winter and Summer Art schools held at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst and participated in, and was inspired by, workshops conducted by some of Australia’s leading watercolourists as well as international artists. My inspiration for painting landscapes is taken from the local environment, using strong colour and tone and a variety of subject matter and technique, dry brush and wet into wet. Still lifes and Interiors, featuring red chairs, are fun subjects and I enjoy the challenge of creating eye-catching compositions. I have endeavoured to pass on my love of watercolour in the district by conducting Saturday classes over many years and have also been asked to conduct workshops in neighbouring areas. I am now exploring and learning all the different approaches to printmaking with its endless creative possibilities. I have attended printmaking workshops to improve my skills and share these skills one day a month in the studio room at the Creative Art Centre Gunnedah for those who wish to learn printmaking. I have participated, successfully, in local shows and art exhibitions and have been fortunate to win many ribbons and awards. I have demonstrated at some of these exhibitions, and been asked to judge. I organise many workshops with professional artists in all mediums for our local community to provide instruction, encouragement, and inspiration, and help the artists build on their skills.

Shirley has attended Winter and Summer Art schools held at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, various workshops. Shirley has won a number of awards and ribbons at Shows and Exhibitions, and has also been invited to judge shows.

CONTACT

s.urquhart28@hotmail.com
0407 945 123

JMB Metal Art

JMB Metal Art

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Metal Art using plasma cutting and welding.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Ness Bemet is a self-taught metal artist who uses the plasma cut technique to create artworks out of "found" metal. She describes metal art as similar to drawing but using air and an electric arch. Her art includes both her own designs and custom work, and she is passionate about crafting discarded metals into new and creative objects.

BIO

Ness Bemet completed a welding course at TAFE about 20 years ago that helped spark her creativity with metal.

CONTACT

jmbmetalart@gmail.com
0458 522 599

Anthony Blake

Anthony Blake

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Tony is a creative artist working with watercolour, acrylics, alcohol ink, acrylic ink , tiles and glass on a wide variety of media. His style is “Impressionistic” interpretations of various themes and subjects.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Tony was a late starter in the art world. At the age of 78, he decided to explore

a lifelong urge to be creative and to see if there was any underlying talent within. He started watercolour painting under Shirley Urquhart, attended a number of workshops and met weekly with a group of like-minded artists under the guidance of Helen Stanley experimenting with various media and techniques. His overall style is colourful “impressionistic” interpretations of whatever subject or theme presents. He has become enthralled in working with alcohol inks, largely self-taught and forever learning, and particularly likes the strong, vivid colours and the unpredictable results that come from working with this very difficult medium. As well as paintings, he produces a range of artifacts such as coasters, coloured glass pendants and mirrors. Tony enjoys the challenge of experimenting with various media in different formats.

Tony has had no formal art training, but has benefitted from informal classes. He learns a lot from following Pinterest online. Tony has exhibited regularly at the Arts Gunnedah Gallery, the Work of Art Gallery, Gunnedah, and the Gunnedah Show Society Art exhibition. His works have been commended on a number of occasions and he has sold a number of works and artifacts.

CONTACT

antblake@bigpond.net.au
0428 426 867

Kristie Farquhar

Kristie Farquhar

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Painter, printmaker, and illustrator

ARTIST STATEMENT

My aim is to make a connection. I want to tell a story, arouse an interest, a feeling, a memory, or simply a sense of pleasure and charm. I certainly create for my own enjoyment but hope to pass the feeling and energy of a piece on to the viewer. Watercolour, drawing, and printmaking are predominantly the areas I work in. Each for different reasons although loved equally. Watercolour for its unpredictability and “life”. It can be a challenging medium and there are many techniques involved, but this is precisely why I enjoy it so much. Drawing or just mark making is something I have loved since childhood. Ink, pen, pencil, charcoal, pastel, I enjoy it all. I was introduced to printmaking many years ago by one of Australia’s great printmakers, Bernhardine Mueller. Working mainly on collagraphs and intaglio plates, I find the process of printmaking captivating. The exactness, the time invested to get it “just right” and the excitement of revealing a piece after running it through the press after many proofs. You need patience to be a printmaker. My inspiration can come from a view, object, poetry, songs, even a split-second glance at something, as I am driving, that may ruminate in my mind for weeks before I can translate it in 2D in some way. Obviously, residing in Gunnedah, I love the country. Nature in its many forms is a constant source of delight, whether it be a large landscape or a tiny wildflower. Creating memories of a view, a property, the family homestead, or similar meaningful scene is a rewarding part of the creative process.

CONTACT

kristiefarquhar@gmail.com
0417 421 507

Ange Strong

Ange Strong

CREATIVE PRACTICE

I use art as my therapy and meditation as I am a busy business owner. I work with different mediums.

Acrylic, acrylic pour, resin, alcohol inks, and textured styles.

I do children and adult workshops

ARTIST STATEMENT

I create art to help with my mental state.
It is great therapy for everyone.

It is a great way to express how I am feeling on the day and I find different mediums help with this.

BIO

Solo Exhibition held at Trademarks Narrabri 2017

Solo exhibition for Mother's Day held
at Arts and Crafts shop Narrabri 2018

Create Narrabri 2021

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CONTACT

angesabstractart@gmail.com
0428 925 426

Michael Burge

Michael Burge

CREATIVE PRACTICE

A journalist, author, artist, digital publisher, mentor and curator, Michael creates compelling, original content with words, video, photography, art and design that can be published to the mainstream media, social media, digital publishing platforms and more. He curates The Makers Shed and is festival director of the annual High Country Writers Festival.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am passionate about storytelling, media and creative events, particularly content and projects that platform country people and our homelands. I also love empowering people to present their creative output independently. There’s never been a better time to put ourselves out there for the world to experience out art, we just need a few skills and encouragement to dive in!

BIO

Diploma of Dramatic Arts, NIDA Graduate Diploma of Media Studies, ARTTS International; Resident wordsmith at The Makers Shed, Glen Innes; Director, High Country Writers Festival; Touring co-ordinator and media assistant,
Arts North West;

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CONTACT

via www.burgewords.com
0400 977 816

James McCormick

James McCormick

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Forged metal

Working with metal making fireplace tools, forged steel wood racks, forged cheese knives, & by purchasing Cutlery items I transform them into beautiful unique deer antler handled items . All are versatile items to be used and also admired. Utilising dropped deer antlers

ARTIST STATEMENT

At first it was utilising dropped deer antlers. I was asked to make some fireplace tools, and through word of mouth it has grown into a profitable small business Mic's Fire Tools and Knives. I enjoy & am proud of my artform.

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CONTACT

0427 321 380

Abigail Sparks

Abigail Sparks

CREATIVE PRACTICE

I am an art educator and artist with an interest in community art projects, particularly ceramics.

My creative practice is based on my work as a visual art teacher where I facilitate student creativity and projects in a range of art forms. Collaboration with community groups and project work based around well-being and creativity with purpose is my passion. My work as a ceramic artist is developing around exploring sculptural hand-built forms as well as domestic ware and thrown forms.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My formal art study began at Sydney University where I studied Fine Arts in the early 1990’s. My Grad Dip in Visual Arts Education and a TAFE certificate IV in Ceramics came after that. My fascination for art history and the art world has been stimulated through travel and hundreds of professional development events in visual arts teaching. My own practice has been facilitating my many exceptional students to high level of achievement in their HSC work. My roles include president of the Glen Innes Pottery Club, Co-ordinator of Fringe Trash Art Festival, Curator of the annual Art Impress! Art Exhibition. Community arts projects include “Precious Flora”, Wytaliba creative recovery project, Naidoc “Because of Her We Can” Project, Art in the Heart Ceramic Mural amongst many others. Recent exhibitions and prizes include “Claytime” Ceramics Exhibition and the NSW Teachers Federation Teachers Art Prize.

CONTACT

sparkyabs@hotmail.com
0447 269 274

Allana Price

Allana Price

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Ceramic creator

My nan has been a potter for many years, and I’ve always been interested in trying it, so when I saw a course running, I decided to give it a go. I am in the process of experimenting with different techniques and forms to find me niche. I have found an interest in the ancient form of pit firing, which give each piece a unique finish. The idea of different natural waste can give certain colours and textures to a piece excites me. I love being outdoors and a part of the nature, Pottery is an extension of nature and getting to work with clay brings an enormous satisfaction into my life. Clay is a versatile medium that allows me an endless possibility from of creation. Not only do I do pottery for the enjoyment I do it for the peace it brings me, with the busy life I live it is my own space to explore and enjoy, and if my pieces bring joy to others, it is a bonus.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Allana has found an enjoyment creating hand-built work, from sculptures, ornaments, to coil or slab-built vessels. She takes inspiration from her surroundings. Even though she has only been creating for a short time, she won grand champion at her local show for her work, sold 8 pieces at a local exhibition, won people choice in a local pop-up window exhibition, had 3 commission jobs and sold over 60 pieces locally. Allana Price is a very busy mother of 3 young children and runs 2 business on her family property near Emmaville. She was brought up on a property and loves the feeling she gets from being out in the bush. She fell deeply in love with ceramics after taking a 6 week course, she now has been creating just shy of 2 years. She has only completed an additional 6-week course within this time. Allana collects pieces from nature and takes photos to use as a creative stimulus. She creates her pieces at the local pottery club, which she is co treasurer of with her friend and fellow creator Brigette. They are always looking at opportunities to expand or knowledge and try new techniques, with hope to create an online side business as well as creating commission pieces for the community.

BIO

Grand Champion - Glen Innes Show

Group exhibition “Clay Time”
Glen Innes Art Gallery Incorporated.

Bake Hose Workshop Facilitator- creating domestic ware for the Wytaliba community which was devastated by the bushfire.

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CONTACT

0428 774 101

Richard Moon

Richard Moon

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Richard Moon is an artisan silversmith and jewellery manufacturer based at The Makers Shed, 123 Grey Street Glen Innes. He sources design inspiration and materials from all things retro, recycled and re-purposed. Wherever possible, all his work is created using sustainable and recycled materials and techniques. Richard co-designs original pieces for customers with design ideas; remodels existing pieces; does jewellery repairs and holds regular silversmithing workshops at The Makers Shed.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Everything I make is different. I don’t have a particular style and I sometimes create lines of jewellery. Inspiration can come on the spur of the moment or evolve over weeks. The finished result is not always exactly as the idea began, but nothing goes up for sale until I am happy with it as a very special piece.

BIO

Resident silversmith at The Makers Shed,
Glen Innes

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CONTACT

0450 039 320

Robyn Sim

Robyn Sim

CREATIVE PRACTICE

I classify myself as an 'emerging artist' who does commission work with Zentangles. I also dabble in photograph, pottery, watercolour an art in general

ARTIST STATEMENT

I have often dabbled in artistic practise with little or no training but as I grow older I am finding many different media to pay with. I have become enamoured of 'Zentangling' over the last two years and have been selling may pieces on line and at local markets, and taking on commission work in this style. I am currently taking courses in pottery and artist practice and have completed a digital photography course.

BIO

I have participated in two exhibitions - the Glen Innes Art Galley Christmas exhibition (2020) and the CWA Guyra Evening Group Exhibition (2021). I have entered my photography at the local show, earning 1st, 2nd and high commendation award. I have completed a hand building pottery class for beginners with Max Powell (2021) and am currently studying wit Tanya Robertson-Cunninghame, who is conducting an ongoing art course covering all the basic. I completed a digital photography course with Steve Wright at the Glen Innes TAFE (2015)

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CONTACT

sim-004@hotmail.com
0467 586 319

Sarah Fletcher

Sarah Fletcher

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Pencil on paper, black and white and colour drawings.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Sarah is a relative newcomer to the art world, but has always had a love of creativity, leaving school to study Graphic Design, during which she realised she had a passion for drawing, particularly portraiture and what could be achieved with the simplicity of pencil on paper. Her early works won awards, and caught the eye of Lloyd Hornsby, curator and owner of Gawura Gallery to encourage her to develop her art practice. In a short period of time, Sarah’s work is in high demand, being one of the sought-after artists at Gawura Gallery.

Sarah’s work is influenced by the Rural New England Region, having grown up on the family farm in Glen Innes. With a medium of pencil, and a focus on realism and attention to detail, she has a goal for each artwork to capture the character, emotion and story behind the subject. Beginning primarily in black and white, she has begun exploring colour and how that can add depth in bringing an artwork to life.

BIO

Certificate III Graphic Design 2015. WINNER GLEN ARCHIES 2017; CHAMPION ARTWORK GLEN INNES SHOW 2017, 2018 & 2019; FINALIST HORNSBY ART PRIZE 2018; FINALIST ROYAL EASTER SHOW 2018 and 2019; SECOND PRIZE GLEN INNES SHOW 2020; Acquisitions Gawura Gallery; Art Sales Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Europe, England. Exhibitions Glen Innes Art Gallery 2017, 2018 and 2019; Gawura Gallery 2018, 2019 and 2020; Hornsby Art Prize 2018; Sydney Royal Easter Show 2018 and 2019;
Ongoing Exhibit Gawura Gallery 2020-21

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CONTACT

Enquiries via Gawura Gallery
info@gawuragallery.com
www.gawuragallery.com

Lloyd Hornsby

Lloyd Hornsby

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Aboriginal Artist (Yuin man from Wallaga Lake)

ARTIST STATEMENT

Lloyd Gawura Hornsby (b.1947) Koori, descendent of the NSW Aboriginal Yuin People. His passion and talent for art manifested in childhood and developed while in his adolescence. In fact he wooed his childhood sweetheart Wendy (now his wife of 53 years) with gifts of paintings and carvings. Lloyd never paints on location; he uses knowledge and observation as a basis for finished paintings. His artwork comes together using the traditional dot technique used widely by the northern Indigenous artists. Lloyd’s strong knowledge base of sketching and drawing are evident in the detail with his bold use of colour to finish the experience. At the age of 73 my learning is continuing today through the discovery of Aboriginal culture and life. Through the passing down of stories, our history and life experiences, all are adding to the richness of my understanding. This knowledge is the basis to all of my artworks.

BIO

Bachelor of Australian Indigenous Contemporary Art – Griffith University 2009; Diploma Commercial Art – Queensland College of Art 1963; Diploma in Management TAFE 1983; Cert 1V Workplace Trainer and Assessor Brisbane TAFE 2010; Practicing Professional Artist – 2005 to current 2008 Part of the team that did a 11mt x 7mt instillation outside the State Library, Brisbane; 2009 completed a Bachelor of Australian Contemporary Indigenous Art at Griffith University; 2015 Wrote an art therapy program for Aboriginal prisoners in Arthur Gorrie and Woodford; 2016 Australia Day Award for Art and Culture; 2017 Built our own Art Gallery – Gawura Gallery in Glen Innes; 2020 Invited to exhibit at the Biennale in Europe/Cannes Film Festival; 2020 Artwork chosen for the United Nations report on the treatment of Aboriginals in Australia; Raised $250,000 through art programs for research into Indigenous Heart programs (closing the gap) for the Heart Foundation; 2021- Have been invited to exhibit artworks in four major galleries across Europe. Solo Exhibitions: 2007 Queensland State Library; Cooroy Butter Factory – 2006 collection; Pine Rivers Regional Gallery – My Stories; 2008 Gawura and Friends – Graydon Gallery; Queensland State Library; 2009 Brisbane Convention Centre; Queensland State Library Road Show through Regional Queensland; Armidale Regional Gallery; 2010 Armidale Regional Gallery – 5 Masters Exhibition; Redcliffe Regional Gallery; Strathpine Regional Gallery; 2011 Townsville Cultural Centre; 2012 Stanthorpe Regional Gallery; 2013 Kempsey Indigenous Gallery; 2014 The HUB Caboolture; 2014 Pine Rivers Art Gallery; 2014 Stanthorpe Regional Gallery; 2015 The Coalface Gallery Moranbah; 2015 Armidale Keeping Place and Art Gallery; 2016 Graydon Gallery New Farm; 2016 The Coalface Gallery Moranbah

CONTACT

info@gawuragallery.com
0403 383 080

Carl Cree

CARL CREE

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Design, Digital Media, Literature, Music,
Visual Arts

12m x 9m workshop & studio, painting, canvas making, music rehearsal, engineering equipment/tools for steel sculpting and other projects. Designated room in house for computer, digital sound recoding, image manipulation, digital photography, and other associated activities.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I'm a 68yro, white, male OAP with a collection of physical glitches. I move a bit slow these days. Artists come and go like new model cars - bright and shiny for a while. Galleries, teachers, government arts administrator and arts departments remain. It seems to me that artists have been running a relay and passing on a baton since we were making prehistoric images on rock walls. I haven't drank alcohol or used any other mind altering drugs since Jan 1999. So? I don't do "drinks etc, and mingle, schmooze and be seen at exhibition openings, events. I prefer to follow my art practice at my own pace and whim.
Pretty well retired.....

BIO

CBHS Lewisham For 5 equivalent 1959; West Sydney Tech (Petersham) Electrical Fitter/Mechanic 1974; Blacksmithing via Tafe Qld, Jimboomba 1994, RADF Grant to take performance poets into Sir David Longlands Maximum Security Gaol 2002; Performance poet Woodford Folk Festival 2000/01; Redland Shire RADF Grant Assessment Committee 2003/04/05; Moreton Tafe Qld Multimedia/Design, Animation, Art History, Video Recording; Editing, Digital and Analog Audio Recording Editing 2004/05/06 inclusive; 2 exhibitions at Logan Gallery 2002 Ink on paper & 2007 large painted works; Commissioned wordsmith, Redland Shire Council Transit Centre Public Art Project Catalaba 2003-04. 2004-06, co-facilitated, with Jack Oudyn "Mind in Art" program for mental health consumers. Regional Art Prize Tenterfield 2001 & 2007; A few prizes at Inverell Gallery and a solo exhibition; Glen Archies Portrait Prize; 2013 co-organised & co-ran a 7 day artist camp at Breeza to artistically document the Breeza Plains during the first Shenhua Coal dispute. 2014 and ongoing radio presenter at 2CBD Glen Innes Tues nights 6-9pm, "Alphabet Soup". Glen Innes Severn Council commission sculpture "Balancing Rock" Wentworth and Grey Street roundabout.

CONTACT

zzccree@gmail.com
0447 465 188 (text first)

Marianne La Cour

Marianne La Cour

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Ceramicist and Painter

I create abstract landscape paintings and rustic Nordic inspired ceramics. Living in a rural community it’s hard not to be inspired by the nature around you. I also draw inspiration from my country of birth – Denmark. My practice is about place - a sense of place, a connection to place and the feeling of belonging to a place. It can be a psychical place, a place of dreams or a place in my heart. I love colours and I create colour combinations as reference to places and days. As a painter, I work by mark making, using movement and form and by layering of colour. I quite often incorporate texture into my paintings, and often paint a canvas over and over again. My ceramics are mainly home wares made from rustic speckled clay using a white glaze. The use of white is another reference to my Nordic heritage. It’s all hand formed, made with attention to detail and intentional imperfections. This gives the wares a gorgeous rustic and organic feel. Through my art I unite artistic impressions from two continents and cultures, which over time has fused and become my own unique style.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I grew up in Denmark spending most of my childhood holidays either on my grandparent’s farm or in the lovely town of Menton on the Mediterranean south coast of France. I migrated to Australia in my thirties to pursue a lifelong dream of living a creative life in relaxing and tranquil (or as we Danes would say ‘hyggelige’ ) surroundings.I star ted working with clay as a teenager and for many years ceramics were my only focus. I have always painted and can’t really say when it became more serious, but I participated in my first group exhibition in the late 90’ties and had my first solo exhibition of paintings in 2007. Alongside my ambition to create, I have owned and managed a café, a small art gallery, an art supply retail store, an art & craft shop and now an online art business. In 2017 I started teaching watercolour painting through local workshops, something I really enjoy doing. Most of my training has been through TAFE and by participating in workshops run by other artists. I have exhibited in group exhibitions since 1999 and held solo exhibitions since 2007. These days the internet has taken on the role of galleries, and I mainly show and sell through my own website or online galleries.

CONTACT

coloursongrey@bigpond.com
0427 325 582