Made OF Australia - Anna-Marie Wallace

I visited the lovely Logan Art gallery for the first time last week. Upon entering the primary coloured building, one steps foot in to a gift shop showcasing the work of local artisans, before heading left or right, to peruse the varying spaces hung with canvas and board. Toward the back of the gallery was a lovely space housing a ceramic exhibition, to which I was of course drawn. Those who have been reading for awhile will know I have a growing collection of handmade contemporary Australian pottery. Here I discovered the beautiful work of the Northern Rivers based artist and designer, Anna-Marie Wallace, and was introduced to the saggar firing process which makes all of her pieces so unique.

"Each piece, each object, whether large or small, be it either functional or simply beautiful in its form, imparts a sense of connection with the earth when it is held in the observer’s hand. Works of art in clay are tangible, tactile & so somehow often more engaging than two dimensional works. It is almost impossible not to gravitate toward a beautifully sculpted vessel & caress it, feel the satisfying mass of it, the refreshing coolness of it & appreciate its unyielding form as a solid, all the while aware that it was once a shapeless, malleable & indistinct morsel of earth & water & that through the careful manipulation of a skilled hand this small piece of our planet now has form, purpose even; not only is it beautiful, but in the case of a vessel or adornment, it is also useful & practical…” 

Anna-Marie Wallace 

Don't you just want to pick up these cups and feel them in your hands?

I love Anna-Marie's words above, and I did indeed want to touch her work. To weigh it in my hands, navigate the textures of each piece and examine the patterns that spill across the surfaces. I restrained myself and resorted to taking photos to share with you instead. But I bet there have been many that couldn't resist gently running a finger tip across one of these pieces when the gallery staff weren't looking!

And oh, the nature table of found and foraged treasures above presented the same tactile allure. Feather, shell, drift wood, seeds. Just the things we were collecting on our beach holiday the week before, and to which my inner magpie is drawn.

The exhibition closes on the 16th of January, so if you are in the area, pop in and try to resist touching the pieces. Or else you can see and purchase more of Anna-Marie's work on her website.

Creativity Abounds

1. The advantages of a sling.

2. Dandelion clock cuteness.

3. Collections at home.

4. Windy days and bonneted babes.

5. GOMA Design Market goodness I brought yesterday - Paper Boat Press notebook and Sharon Muir Owl Vase

It's been quiet in this space the past week as we settled back in to school routines. Good things have been happening though. I feel like I am surrounded by creativity, inspiration and knowledge in abundance at the moment. And I am endeavoring to make the most of it and say yes to as many opportunities as possible.

- I returned to the bench, inspired by a new piece, which will be making it's way in to the shop soon.
- I ordered the remaining tools necessary for my second jewellery bench to be set up - meaning a more productive work space for Didi and I.
- I've booked my ticket for a ceramic artists talk and demonstration. I'm so fascinated by ceramics.
- I'm looking forward to the Calligraphy workshop next weekend.
- The North Coast Mud Trail is coming up again! I'm hoping to visit a few studios this time, meet the artists and see their beautiful pieces, and maybe make a weekend getaway out of it too.
- I'm joining in with Create and Thrive's August photo challenge, #CTMonthInTheLife, to share some behind the scenes shots of my business, workshop and process.

What creative things have you been planning or doing lately?

'silver' Museum of Brisbane

Granny's Cloak Moths 2013 (detail) Madeline Brown, photograph Chelsea Sipthorp

Madeline Brown, photograph by Chelsea Sipthorp *

I snuck out of a sleeping household yesterday afternoon to attend an artist talk and tour of silver. I promised myself that despite loosing my gallery-ing partner in crime, now that my twin sister has moved to Canberra, I would make solo jaunts to galleries for the sake of my inspiration and sanity. And I'm so pleased I listened to myself.

The exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane features the work of six pairs of artists - a jeweller and a photographer in each collaboration. Yesterday, jeweller Madeline Brown and photographer Andrea Higgins discussed their collaboration and contribution to the exhibition. It was a fascinating insight in to the processes of their individual work practices and their coming together to produce what I felt was the strongest piece in the exhibition.  

Both women were extremely approachable and I had the opportunity to to talk to them at the close of the talk. Madeline and I recognised each other from our Uni days. It was fantastic to be able to discuss the process of casting crochet and tattings to create unique pieces of jewellery. While Andrea completes her photography Masters at QCA this month, and will be exhibiting a collection of her work, featuring photograms and Victorian lace collars, from the first of April in the Whitebox gallery. (I have already written it in my diary.)

I'm feeling incredibly inspired now and reminded once more that I need this time out to myself - good things come of it for both me and my family. 

If you are in or around Brisbane and are interested in fine art or silver smithing, be sure to hop in a lift at Town Hall and visit the third floor gallery.

*Photos from the Museum of Brisbane website

'Quilts 1700 - 1945' Queensland Art Gallery

Queensland Art Gallery's current exhibition, Quilts 1700 - 1945, will appeal to a wider audience that you would first imagine. There is the beautiful history and legacy of such craft, which will lure those with a historical leaning. There is the handmade element, the workmanship and detail, which will appeal to crafters, artisans and makers of any medium. Then there is the element of design - pattern, colour, texture, motifs - which have a universal appeal. Each quilt a practical work of beauty.

As I stopped before each magnificent quilt on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum, I couldn't help but think that those quilts were like the blogs off their day. A visual expression of ones creative self. A way to document, engage and reflect. An investment of time and patience. The beautiful, hand worked quilts, coverlets and even pincushions reflected the individual makers aesthetic and environment. Coverlet with Sundial for instance, portrays appliqued domestic items and flowers from the makers life. Maps figure in each corner, reflecting her interest in geography. Other quilts included textile panels which celebrated military victories and royal occasions, "revealing an engagement with the world beyond the confines of the domestic domain." While a more recent paper pieced hexagon quilt took three years to create using fabric recycled from old shirts, dresses and black out curtains, in the aftermath of World War II.

"Recycling materials bore witness to a wife's practicality. The paper templates used in patchwork during this period were cut from receipts, shopping lists and ledger books. Patchwork and quilt making also provided an opportunity for women to showcase her skills to family and friends." - from the gallery wall

Any plain fabric and wadding can make a simple, practical quilt. But is takes the makers hand and heart to create a quilt of beauty and meaning. The collecting, designing, cutting, rearranging, stitching, all an art in themselves. Quilts are like blogs. They both fulfill a human need to document and share. Different platforms for a similar need.

The exhibition really resonated with me. I found it to be a rewarding, well curated and enjoyable experience. If you are in Brisbane it's certainly worth a visit.

'Sculpture is Everything'

Gummo IV Lara Favaretto

 Wolken (Clouds) Michael Sailstorfer

Balmarra Alan Griffiths

Wanydjalpi (Yam sculpture) Elizabeth Djuttara

Glass Vehicles Heri Dono

Fiona Hall's interactive children's artwork Fly Away Home and Pooja (Loot) Simryn Gill


Phoenix, Indian blue peacock (Pavo Cristatus) Louise Weaver

I took photos of some of my favourite pieces from the 'Sculpture is Everything' exhibition we visited at the Gallery of Modern Arts on the weekend. I quite often find myself drawn to those pieces with a craft element to them. I love the blurring of boundaries between what is traditionally considered 'art' or 'craft.' A combination of two of my great loves. I enjoy spotting knitting and crochet in art galleries, like the taxidermy peacock with a crochet 'skin.'

I have found that Cohen is more interested in sculpture than painting. He ran to some exhibits, fascinated by them at length and circling them up close. The kinetic sculptures brought him the most joy.  He also lead the way to the Children's Art Center where we made our third bird at the Fly Away Home exhibition (which is free and runs until the 7th October.) Named "Sarah" by Cohen, our bird found it's home in an empty niche in a wall full of down lit birds. Cohen dictated the other information to be added to the tag. Under heading 'diet' Cohen requested I write "scissors." For 'behaviour' I dutifully wrote, "drinks milk in nest." For 'other interesting facts' Cohen advised, "also eats chips." 

How wonderful, the imagination of children.

When do you last visit an art gallery or museum?

Who is one of your favourite artists? 

Do you prefer painting, sculpture or something else?

'Modern Women'

Portrait of a woman, Albert Besnard

 Portrait or Mme X, Marie Bashkirtseff

One of my very favourite things to do is to visit art galleries. I believe it was probably the main reason I decided to do a bachelor of fine arts. Yesterday we viewed the current exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery, 'Modern Women: Daughters and Lovers 1850 - 1918.' The beautiful drawings in the exhibition were sourced from the Musee De Orsay, Paris, from a collection of over four thousand works. Some of the pieces, framed in simple blonde frames, are being exhibited for the first time. The works were beautifully displayed and hung in rooms according to their themes, from mothers and children, with depictions of breastfeeding, to women working on the farm. From performers, to women of the night. Featuring the work of artists such as Degas, Renoir, Manet and Cassatt, who are all linked by friendship or aesthetics, the pieces range from simple line drawings to intensely worked pastels. Drawing at this time was undertaking a radical reinvention and being recognised as art unto its self, and not merely as preparation for painting, making it a thoroughly modern way to work. 

I particularly loved the way dress came in to play across the works. Whether it be fur collars, silk or shop girls dresses cinched at the waist, much of the clothing featured in the drawings was also thoroughly modern at the time and really places the pieces in their period for modern observers. I'm also drawn to interiors from the period. The stuffed floral couches, elaborate carpets and lush drapes are always a joy for me.

While Emerson and I browsed the exhibition with my sister and her husband, Cohen and Dave were making a bird and nest as a part of the Fiona Hall 'Fly Away Home' interactive exhibit at the Gallery Of Modern Art. Dave assured me that he and Cohen enjoyed this activity so much I should take the little man back and do it with him myself. I think I shall indeed.

So, if you are in Brisbane, I can recommend a trip to either gallery or both.

An adventure...

I was a little hesitant yesterday, whether or not to carry on as planned, after the previous nights hospital visit. Cohen seemed not in the least phased about his experience and I decided that a day out may be just what we needed.

Our adventure began at the St Lucia University Gallery. Before a walk and a ride on a City Cat to South Brisbane.

I love City Cats. They are a wonderful way to navigate the City. Travelling on the river is a great way to see the landmarks and goings on in any City.

The purpose of our journey was a visit to the 'American Impressionism and Realism' exhibition at the Qld Art Gallery from The Met, New York. The collection was more beautiful and elegant than I had imagined.

"‘American Impressionism and Realism’ considers how proponents of two styles that flourished around 1900 responded to modern life and to the era’s perplexing novelties, and will invite consideration of what they embraced, what they did not, and why. Often saturated with light and colour, these paintings are also saturated with meaning."

I fell in love with several of the works.

'Boy with a baseball', George Luks

'Cherry', Agnes Goodsire, 1925 'Repose', John White Alexander, 1895

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Our journey continued with a visit to the State Library of Queenslands Library Shop in order to wander among the aisle of amazing books and make small purchases like...

this amusing Picasso finger puppet/ magnet by the Unemployed Philosopher's Guild, which was a present for Cohen from Aunty Fiona, and a book I have been looking for.

On to GOMA past the large wall art,

beneath the black building facade,

and into the gallery.

An Ah Xian piece.

Views from the second floor.

Aunty Fiona and Cohen with a Ron Mueck piece.

The decision to carry on was the best one I could have made. Cohen enjoyed the day and barely a single grizzle did he utter. The back drop to catching up with my adorable sister was perfect. The exhibition was amazing.

Yesterday there was...

...rain.

...hubby, Cohen and I in the Valley with friends. ...my twin sister, Fiona, at the 'Draw More' exhibition at 'Jugglers Art Space' (in Fortitude Valley, Qld.) with Cohen.

...two of her drawings, in the group exhibition.

... drinkies afterwards...

P.S: I also brought my first original piece of art, by artist Kitty Horton! Will show you when I pick it (once exhibition is finished), or if you go see the exhibition it is number 54! :)