I am exploring the concept of biophilia and how people living in high density urban environments such as the Sydney's Inner West, can connect with aspects of nature close to where we live. Biophilia is the theory that humans need to feel a connection to other species such as plants and animals but how can we feel a connection to nature when we don’t have access to untouched wilderness or even a garden close to where we live?
I started by exploring my own connection to plants that are encountered in my day to day life, in my small courtyard garden and nearby public spaces such as local parks and street plantings. ‘By walking the local paths within a couple of blocks from home and taking the time to notice and investigate cultivated nature around me I feel more of a connection to the place that I live and have begun to learn how important the environment and our connection to it is, for our own health and wellbeing, as well as the future of the planet.’ Luckily the Inner West has many street plantings, with a wide variety of mature street trees including many beautiful Eucalyptus species, as well as nearby parks and the open space and walking tracks near Cooks River. I have been exploring a process known as ‘eco-printing’ or ‘botanical contact printing’, and natural plant dyes. The technique is a direct ‘collaboration’ with nature to transfer the image of the plant onto fabric and paper. My printing process is very experimental and the objective is to create a feeling rather than an exact replica of the plant material and the viewer will see reminders of natural colours, textures and shapes, to evoke a greater appreciation and understanding and therefore connection to the natural environment around us. Curriculum Vitae Born in Sydney in 1966, I currently live and work in Sydney. I have participated in numerous group art exhibitions over the past twenty years and have been involved in all aspects of exhibition planning and presentation as well as hanging and assisting with curating exhibitions. ARTS EDUCATION 2019 Statement of Attainment, Working with Collections, Meadowbank TAFE 2018 BA Fine Art/Visual Culture – Curtin University WA 2009 Certificate 1 – Intro. to Community Cultural Development, Ultimo TAFE 2004 Advanced Dip. Fine Arts – The Sydney Gallery School, Meadowbank TAFE 2003 Diploma of Fine Arts – The Sydney Gallery School, Meadowbank TAFE SOLO EXHIBITION 2019 Two Blocks Away, Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Camperdown SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 2022 Eden Gardens Unearthed - Highly Commended 2022 Greenway Art Prize - Winner Local Artist Prize 2021 Ryde SWAP Art Prize - Highly Commended Open Category - Highly Commended Functional Award 2021 Greenway Art Prize - Finalist 2020 Greenway Art Prize - Finalist GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2014 A Definition of Emerging - IWWS, Seaview Gallery, Dulwich Hill 2010 Original Passion, Balmain Watch House, Sydney 2009 Reconnections, Balmain Watch House, Sydney 2008 Cats and Dogs and other Loves, Balmain Watch House, Sydney 2007 Rendezvous II, Balmain Watch House, Sydney 2006 Rendezvous I, Balmain Watch House, Sydney 2006 Original Fine Art Group, Art Auctions in various locations, Sydney 2005 Original Fine Art Group, Art Auctions in various locations, Sydney 2005 Launch, Graduate Exhibition, See Street Gallery, Sydney 2004 Drawings, See Street Gallery, Sydney 2004 The Sydney Gallery School 3rd Year Printmaking Majors, Hardware Fine Art Gallery, Sydney 2004 Launch, Graduate Exhibition, See Street Gallery, Sydney 2003 Simply Black and White, Two Step Gallery, Sydney AWARDS Graduate Award for Printmaking, The Sydney Gallery School, 2004 |