DWELLING 2016
‘Dwelling’ is a contemporary mosaic exhibition that responses specifically to elements of the Woodford Academy. The practice of mosaic involves working with glass, stone, tile and mortar - the very elements that make up the Academy structure. Using these traditional materials and the Academy as subject matter, ‘Dwelling’ draws attention to both decorative and structural elements of the buildings and their histories.
Many thanks to the Woodford Academy for inviting me to create this series of work and to my photographer Ona Janzen.
Many thanks to the Woodford Academy for inviting me to create this series of work and to my photographer Ona Janzen.
A SHARED TABLE
A mosaic installation in the Bakery of the Woodford Academy.
The Woodford Academy is the oldest set of colonial buildings in the Blue Mountains now managed by the National Trust of Australia. Its multilayered history reveals its use as a wealthy private residence, sly grog shop, boarding house, school for boys and now a museum. ‘A Shared Table’, an installation ceramic and glass remnants, salvaged and exhumed from this site was installed in the bakery of the Academy between October and December 2016. Each piece with a different history, arranged to evoke reflection on the generations of residents, guests, travelers and staff who used them in the act of sharing food in this venue. The tesserae remnants were placed but not adhered to three plinths each with indicative napery suggesting the different tables and indeed lifestyles of the people who either managed, patronized or served with the academy walls.
LINGERING VOICES
A mosaic text installation throughout selected rooms of the Woodford Academy based on extracts of writing from the journals & letters of academy resident Jessie McManamey.
Dimensions variable. Materials - sandstone, limestone and oro on board.
Many thanks to Kate Butler, Cindy Topic, Anneliese Senn, Vicky Bush and April Keogh for their help with this body of work.
Dimensions variable. Materials - sandstone, limestone and oro on board.
Many thanks to Kate Butler, Cindy Topic, Anneliese Senn, Vicky Bush and April Keogh for their help with this body of work.
THROUGH THE WINDOW & STONE SKETCHES
As series of works that represent the beautiful views through my coloured glass studio windows and other perspectives of the academy courtyard. SOLD
DOORWAYS TO LANDSCAPE
This work draws inspiration from the small historical registers of peeling paint that are found on the doorframes throughout the Woodford Academy, and home to my studio, in the Blue Mountains Australia. The paint registers reveal the layers of colour applied to the timber work over time and reflect the changes the building has undergone during its multi layered history and changing ownership. The panels also honour the environment surrounding my studio in the Blue Mountains Australia a World Heritage site. Captured as views through slightly open doors they give a glimpse of the textures, colours and layers of the rich, resilient and ancient landscape beyond for which we are now the guardians. SOLD
