Well for once, not a loser. A contender in a competition I felt strongly about,
and worked really hard on.
'Returned To Glory' is now an annual, recycled materials art exhibition and
competition. It embraces things I believe in, art, creative concepts, the bringing
together of community, environmental issues and the written word.
So when this year it was announced there would be a special category - A Literary
Section, to celebrate the year of reading with our local library, I was hooked.
It makes sense to me that artists can source very economical or even free material,
that it is turned into something striking, eye catching, decorative or useful.
Then as a very diverse and fascinating event, it shows in such an accessible and
whimsical way, waste is not necessarily waste it is a valuable resource.
It's not junk, it's Art, Design, Functional. Ugly becomes beautiful. That is a creative
writing exercise I know, but true here too. Totally educational to the broader public,
not just art and craft lovers.
So it all makes sense to get involved, with my previous personal experiences and
interests such as - a wildlife carer and rescuer, bush regenerator, artist, graphic
designer and amateur naturalist.
Living in a brilliant natural wonderland, I am daily observant of the changes of season,
and the wonderfully diverse flora and fauna.
Weaving all these elements into an artwork was a real labour of love. The question
was, would it draw attention or meaning to anyone else?
In the end it did. I'm so weird and eclectic with my artwork, that it often only means
something to me.
I won the category I was aiming for, and the Library bought it. It will go on show and
may travel. So the public at large will see it, and hopefully it's message of recyclables,
art and environment will speak to many.
I especially hope, as a Community Art Teacher, the message will be clear to children.
Last night at the opening, children seemed enchanted. After explaining to two little boys
'No, the cases don't open up, all the little birds will escape', I was able to tell them the
story about the real eggshells to be found in the tiny paper nest. That they came from
seagulls nesting on Cockatoo Island on Sydney Harbour.
36 plastic CD cases, each one a collage from a water damaged bird book, with added detail, or engraving on the outer clear casing. No. 21 case is the bird nest. This is more 3D.
Detail of the word tree of bird definitions, and descriptions. Detail of bird nest.
Word tree in development. I like words.
