I’m very excited to find out that I have been selected as a finalist in the 2013 Australian Craft Awards.
Congratulations are also due to my fellow Canberrans who are finalists across a range of categories:
Dianne Firth (Display), Megan Jackson (Fashion – Accessories), Rosemary Goonan – The Rag Venture (Fashion – Apparel), Alison Jackson (Homewares and Jewellery), Eva Schroeder (Jewellery), Nellie Peoples (Jewellery), Gilbert Reidelbauch (Lighting) and Christine Atkins (Lighting).
Today I finally caught up with Canberra’s most controversial art work – The Skywhale. She was designed by Patricia Piccinini, one of Australia’s most recognised contemporary artists, but like the purchase of Blue Poles back in the 1970’s many were horrified that the ACT Government actually spent money (in this case $A172,000) on an artwork.
The Skywhale, in the arts precinct of Kingston, behind Megalo Print Studio and the Canberra Glassworks, 26 October 2013.
Having finally met her face to face, I’ve decided that I quite like her!
Below you can get some idea of the overall shape of the balloon, the pendulous breasts and the clawed tail.
The Skywhale,sitting in front of the Fitters Workshop, 26 October 2013.
I include this photo to help make some sense of my drawings of the Skywhale.
A 3/4 profile (from behind) drawing of the Skywhale, 26 October 2013.
Above you have roughly most of one side and the tail. I found the drawing difficult because even though she was tethered there was quite a bit of movement with the balloon.
The tail section of the Skywhale, 26 October 2013.
I think drawing the seams of the balloon , in the following sketch, delivers a sense of the roundness of the inflated balloon.
Detailed view of the seams on the side of the Skywhale.
We seem to have seen very little of the Skywhale since she first made her appearance in Canberra and I look forward to seeing her again in the future. Alas, it appears that the Skywhale will be a transient art experience, as the Wikipedia entry on the Skywhale notes that she will have a lifespan of only some 100 flights.
India Flint is one of Australia’s leading textile practitioners. Not only is her work fascinating, but she actively demonstrates her love of the environment through her environmentally sound practices.
In August this year, India undertook a residency at Big Cat Textiles in Newburgh, Fife. Tracey McConnell-Wood has made a beautiful video, Being (t)here that gives you a glimpse of India’s residency.
Thank you!
If you will be in Scotland from 30 June to 3 July 2014, you could participate in the Being (t)here class.
I’ve got behind with posting my cafe drawings so here are the latest.
I realise that I’m attracted to the repetition/ variation in many of my subjects.
Cafe Wednesday 16 October 2013, umbrellas and coffee drinkers.
Now that spring has arrived the cafe umbrellas, which I love drawing, are back outside.
22 October 2013, stacked crates.
This morning having coffee in another part of town I spotted a set of stacked crates which immediately bought to mind the work of the late Australian (expatriate) artist Jeffrey Smart.
Woo, hoo! just got a phone call to tell me that my work Spirit of Giving has been selected as a finalist for the 2013 Goulburn Region Art Award. If the competition is anything like last year it will be a real challenge. There are no categories so the textiles, glass works, ceramics, sculpture and painting all go head to head.
The announcement will be made on 1 November at 6.pm at the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, everyone is welcome!
leonieandrews 