FINAL MASTERS EXHIBITION

My Final exhibition for the "PEG IS 40! project" is steadily approaching. After nearly three years it's almost done! But not without the mad embroidery session taking place in the effort to complete the embroidered text panel. See the comment thread that is being embroidered at pegis40.com Here below are a few images of the progress of the body of work. I would like to thank all of the community members involved in this project, The Knox Council for funding and support, Coonara Community House for hosting workshops and the friends and family who assisted me with every reasonable or unreasonable request I made of them. This wouldn't have been possible without you!

photo courtesy Alta Truden

photo courtesy Alta Truden

photo courtesy Alta Truden

Memory Souvenirs

New work has been under way for the MFA. I have begun focussing on developing a series of embroidered handkerchiefs with stories from the "PEG IS 40!" archives. To complement these embroidered handkerchiefs I have begun selecting found organic matter from the site of enquiry, such as these bouquets of weeds, and have picked seed pods off them and cast them in bright silver.



I have also developed a website for community members to contribute their story. I plan to take these stories and embed them into the creative work.

PEG IS 40! developments

As the weeks and months have passed, my Masters PEG IS 40! project has also developed. These images are from my installation at last years HDR Colloquium.
The project has changed a bit since this, now focussing on developing a site orientated and community based project on location.

ZINE LAUNCH!

I'm having my debut zine launch at the Sticky Institute this Wednesday, the 2nd of February from 6-7pm at Sticky (down in the Flinders Street/Degraves Street Subway). It features as part of this years "I am Typewriter Festival."
Those who attend will be among the first to pick up this newest zining member of "The Top Eleven" series.
Here is the synopsis for the zine, and the lauch/forum:

Typewriters eventually need their ribbon replaced because ink runs out.
But what do people do with this old ribbon once its removed from the
typewriter? This zine guides enthusiasts through 11 easy and realistic
activities or uses for a ribbon, once discarded; ranging from friendship
bands, to dreamcatchers, to marathon finishing lines.

The Launch features a one-off instructional forum, an intimate how-to of functions, taken from the zine.
Please please please BYO old typewriter ribbon to the forum.







I will also be selling a selection of zines at the Annual Zine Fair on Saturday 12th of February, 1-6pm, in the Flinders Street subway.

Peg is 40!

New developments occurring for my research. The topic has shifted it's focus:

Peg is 40! questions place, personal and communal identity, and language.
By appropriating the text taken from a graffitied inscription on a bridge, and through story telling, the work explores the effect of the text upon the community inhabiting the surrounds of the site.

The work responds to the sense of place that is “Peg is 40!”, and focuses on addressing memory and identification (both personal and communal), as well as myth-making within local place through an engagement with appropriating the text, and exploring the language and landmark, as well as the surroundings of “Peg is 40!”

The project aims to encourage a dynamic engagement from viewers by challenging the semiotics of words and presenting an ambiguity in meaning for the text of the inscription, when abstracted from a definitive setting.

Door Done

So much has been happening. I've recently started my Master of Fine Arts at Monash Uni, looking at Maps and deconstructing their components to become purely aesthetic. Potential mediums include paper sculpture, folded books, artists books, and works on paper, focussing on Printmedia, and paper alterations (perforations, folds, markings etc)

In other news:
As seen from the photos, a recently commissioned artwork on a door to do for a home in development in Prahran.

More to come- and hopefully more frequently.

ZINE FAIR

When I was a young child dreaming of the prospective career paths to venture down, I always loved the concept of teaching, as it was a means of using the photocopier...
In my mature position of age I have come to realise that fun with a photocopier does not limit itself purely to the classroom.

This approaching Saturday is the the Zine Fair in the City Square as part of the Sticky Institutes annual Festival of the Photocopier.
I've got a stall there, so have been printing my little heart out in preparation.
Come check it out, it will be unreal banana peel.

Paris

It was wonderful!! But it's equally nice to be back in the swing of things.
Le Petit Atelier De Paris

Je suis tres desole!

A sample of my works for sale. You can find them on Etsy

I have seemed to lose a sense of time, I realise this now as I notice I haven't updated this blog for well over a month! Whoopsy.

I have been a little busy, preparing for my much anticipated short trip to France/Italy, from late September. It will be beautiful, Autumn weather {my favourite- how lucky am I to experience two Autumns in one year}.
I will get to experience all the beloved and awe-inspiring classical artworks that I have poured over throughout my youth. I will see the Visual Arts at the Venice Biennial. I will venture the lane ways to find handmade artifacts; stumble down uneven, cobbled paths that will lead to a deli, a boulangerie, and patisserie. I will clamber up never ending staircases with luggage on back, awaiting the floor of my own room. I will be among the hum of European culture, and hope to feel not so much like a tourist, but a temporary local! I have, perhaps been day-dreaming about this trip for far too long.

I have also been busy, at work in my new job at Spacecraft! What a dream.

My paper urchin necklaces have scored themselves a little bit of publicity at the moment.

- Featured in The Age, just over a week ago now.
- Craft Hatch Melbourne Writers Festival Market- Thanks Kim!

good day

Reminiscing over captured moments from a wonderful day, passed.

Good News... and possible braggings:

I've recently been involved in the TRASHED! recycled market at the Corner Hotel, Richmond selling my paper jewellery, and hope to do it again on the 9th of August.

A feature on my paper jewellery is to be published in the newest edition of Handmade in Melbourne, due for release in August.

I was interviewed for my paper jewellery work on Craft Victoria's blog CLOG

soft sculpture

My contribution from a 'flash show' at KINGS gallery, held 'in a flash' at the beginning of the week.

RELOCATE

I've moved- fairly smoothly, and I've had a birthday {quarter of a century old!}. We celebrated both causes for a party in one weekend, merrily with both gorgeous friends and family. {when the weather is a little kinder I intend to capture the apartment along with the cityscape, neighbouring rooftops, treetops and bay views from the rooftop balcony}. I feel very lucky with our find, incredibly cosmopolitan, and a little bit "secret-life-of-us-esque".

out of the loop

I've been totally absorbed in moving house and preparing for exhibitions that I have entirely neglected the blogger world... Oops!
A new abode in Elwood leads to quick walks to the bay, rooftop views, and a much closer main street for shopping and eating. A good move I say! There will be more images and possibly complaints as I move through from this evening across the weekend.I've taken over the front window at the children's store I manage, MINE. My exhibition, The Story Which Must Be TOLD is a venture of finger puppets, and paper scenery alike, with an accompanying zine {with a hand-screenprinted cover}. There is a looping digital animation of an Autumn tree taking residence in the window, and origami folded whales gracefully swim and scoop under and over cardboard waves and stuffed calico clouds, that remind one of kipfler potatoes. The centre of all the attention lies with the puppets, however. With an illustration printed upon their stuffed beings, or being adorned in delicate handpainted or handthreaded features, may these little characters swoon your heart away! Have a wander over to MINE's blog to see a few more pictures of my window installation. I'm yet to take some images when it's the evening {I imagine they would in their night time discretion organise their own performances!}.