This exhibition gathers together some new ideas, influences and directions I have been following over the past couple of years.
It is now nearly fifteen years since I first discovered the joys of sculpting in clay. Since then I have been making things, studying (applied art Box Hill TAFE), making things, exhibiting, making things, teaching (workshops), making things, studying (art history at Melbourne Uni) and making things. I love capturing the energy and vitality, and often the humour of living creatures. My subject matter has included dragons, frogs and pelicans.
Some of the new elements to feature in my work include:
Scale. I have been testing both the limits of clay and my own strength to produce larger works.
Cockatoos are a raucous reminder of indigenous survivors in an increasingly urbanized space. Thy are cheeky bush larrikins who seem to thrive in suburbia.
Bunyips. It seemed about time to add the Bulleen Bunyip to my stable of creatures. The dragon has ruled too long!
Figurative. I have revisited my interest in the human form, both for its own sake and as a means of expression.
Politics. How could we fail to be moved by the dramatic world events and changes evident in this new millennium.
Surfaces. I have dabbled with mosaics and firing techniques.
