New Work - Geography of Memory, Beginnings

This new work began when the Vancouver Island Surface Design Association put out a call for entry. They were looking for an interpretation of 'Pathways' in a 60" x 12" format.

Sarah McLaren and I had been focused on colour for many months and were both inspired by the colour work of Jean-Philippe and Dominique Lenclos. This couple research the colours typical to a specific place in the world.

New Zealand Forest
Sarah and I have both lived in a number of different places over our lifetimes. We decided to show our memories of those places through colour with each inch of the work representing one year in our lives.

I began by making a life-size sketch then started sampling. My visualisation of this work was so clear my first sample was enough at this stage of my design process to be able to move on to the next step.

I made the base for the ground from a mix of upholstery fabrics heavy enough to support all of the stitching I had in mind.

Next step - deciding on the colour scheme, which was easy because of my strong colour memory of each place I have lived.

Picking the right ground fabrics took a little bit longer even knowing most of them would be covered they still had to be right. 

The base fabrics are bonded to the upholstery fabrics in the right proportions.

Painted bondable webbing ...

...to match each place's colours.

Ironing the painted bondable webbing in place.

Adding snippets of threads, yarns and fabrics to build up the complexity and texture of each section.

Selecting the right coloured nylon scarf from my stash.

Bonding the snippets and nylon scarves in place using parchment paper to stop the iron's sole plate from getting gunked up.

I sprinkled a few granules of 007 Bonding Agent to make sure thicker areas of snippets stuck well. It takes a higher heat setting on the iron to make these granules melt but once they have they stick very well and become invisible.

This is an old and well-used method for building a ground before stitching begins. I learnt this during my City and Guilds days and still go back to it because it is so effective and versatile.

Next step - the stitching. 

Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens, New Zealand

Here am I surrounded by Audrey Boyle's 'Tribute', (dress fabric, Dacron, irrigation tube).

From Audrey's artist statement: 'Having worked with vines from nature, most recently Kareao (Supplejack) that once covered this very land, I decided to replicate the fern and its linear quality with all of its lumps and bumps and give it back to nature.'

Blair Fraser 'Laughing No More', (Oamaru stone, wood).

From Blair's artist statement: 'The Whekau or Laughing Owl is no more, it is extinct.'

Alysn Midgelow Marsden, 'Change', (fabric, PTFE thread, stainless steel cable).

From Alysn's artist statement: 'The form of the cocoon is understood as a place where transformation occurs; an apparent miracle, an alchemic change within a quiet contained form. The form shows occasional involuntary quivers as it is suspended. It is rocked by both its internal changes and the forces of the world around it.

The question has to be 'what is going on inside?' What will emerge? Will it be fabulous or frightening, camouflaged or brilliantly coloured?

Mia Hamilton, 'Daisy Blanket', (heavy duty plastic danger tape, crocheted twine).

From Mia's artist statement: 'Mia Hamilton remembers the 'daisy blanket' her mum and dad made as a child. Dad sheared the sheep and spun the wool whilst Mum made the daisies on an old wooden bloom loom and crocheted them together.

Just a few of the 51 sculptures in the gardens.

Corrugated Steel / Iron Art and Architecture

I made a quick trip to New Zealand to be in on my father's 87th birthday celebrations, Mother's' Day, another family birthday and to catch up with family.

Painted corrugated steel

I was treated to a Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens and Nursery visit. After wandering the inspiring nursery, we had morning tea in the outdoor cafe before heading into the Sculpture Gardens. Fifty-one different sculptures made by individuals and groups have been placed throughout the magnificent gardens created by David and Geraldine Bayly.

I think it is because I have been focused on the construction of my studio for so many months, the corrugated steel sculptures jumped out at me.

'Dis-ability' by artists from Mt Tabor Trust, Thomas Hogan, Kevin Widowson, Sandy Sturgess, Ian Sangster & Rachel Clark, plywood, corrugated iron, acrylic paint.

'Goat Family' by Ian Fewtrell, recycled corrugated iron.

Corrugated steel is a distinctively New Zealand art medium as well as a utilitarian building material for houses, farm buildings and retail shops. Ron and I were inspired by our childhood memories of the use of this building material when we came up with the concept for my studio.

New Zealand farm shed/hut

There are also historical corrugated steel buildings on the Saanich Peninsula where we live and we are noticing many new constructions using the material in a contemporary way.

A new sail loft in Sidney designed by Checkwitch Poiron Architects.

It is a building material well suited to a wet climate.

Jeremy Shirley - Bus Shelter Project

Here is an artist whose work makes a difference. He paints murals on bus shelters and buildings to make people smile. This happiness deters those with the urge to tag blank walls.

Jeremy currently lives in Hamilton, New Zealand and has left his mark all over the country.

Here is a link to an article explaining why he puts his art in the street  Jeremy Shirley's art

Steam Punk in New Zealand

'Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.'
If you are ever in New Zealand I would recommend planning to spend a day in Oamaru, on the east coast of the South Island. One of the many attractions in the city is all of the steampunk action, including this museum.

The museum works with many different arts organisations to hold events throughout the year.

 

Nearby is a steam punk playground...

...for everyone to enjoy.

Steampunk -' tomorrow as it used to be'
www.steampunkoamaru.co.nz

More Art Deco In Ranfurly?

The funny thing was only the hotel was promoted in the tourist brochures as being in the Art Deco style. With the Spanish styled tiled roof and metal balconies I didn't see it.

The columns were particularly off putting though the font of the hotel name is 1930s.

But once inside the old part I saw this magnificent Art Deco style ceiling that really played with the 'step' form.

3 inter-locking arched mirrors is so AD.

The light fixtures and female figure ornaments where characteristically in the AD style also.

But as far as the outside of the building, I think this rabbit hutch has more Art Deco features.

Art Insitu

A number of times, while on a recent holiday, I played around with materials I found.
Here is a nikau palm leaf on a beach.

The ridged inside breaks down to make long fibres...

...that can be pulled off.

I was thinking of a nest. 

Nana's Garden

I am developing a series of works using my memories of & associations with hydrangeas. I photographed many blossoms in the last days of their splendid show when I was in New Zealand this past May. The low angle of the late afternoon sun set off their fading glory.