NOVEMBER 4th – 28th

JILLIAN CULEY, CAROLYN DANCE, KAYLENE BROOKS and MICHIYO MIWA

Adrift is a collaborative exhibition focused on the amazing array of twisted, burnt, dented, discoloured and gnarled wood that gets washed onto the shores every day. Every piece has its own personality, and has been shaped by its journey through storms, currents, tides and bushfires.

Whatever happens in this universe as far as we know, everything is transient. We, humans (animals), plants, and the environment at large constantly change and are shaped by forces that remain unknown.  In the midst of this universal flow, we simply try to capture and present what we witness in the world around us at that moment of time.

OPENING EVENT – Saturday 6th from 2pm

ARTISTS

JILLIAN CULEY

Jillian works predominantly with locally harvested fibres. She explores and experiments with ancient and traditional basket weaving techniques including twining, string making, ribbed and randing.. For Jillian weaving is also an opportunity to explore the connection of mathematical patterns and the natural environment. Her baskets and sculptural pieces take their roots from the colour and forms of the bush where she lives and works

CAROLYN DANCE

Carolyn’s home and studio is nestled on a bush block in the Blue Mountains. The surrounding flora and fauna inspires and informs her creative practice. For Carolyn weaving is a meditative process where the purposeful, slow and rhythmic movements help to transform natural materials into functional baskets and unique pieces. Carolyn enjoys the whole process; from a walk in the bush to harvest materials, to weaving the final creation.

KAYLENE BROOKS

A multi media artist living and working in the picturesque Kanimbla Valley where inspiration is plentiful. “Shape and form is explored in this collection incorporating natural fibres, textures and of course drift wood with a muted pallet of colours with a whimsical twist, no prethought was put into each piece, like driftwood I let each work dictate its own design and form. I really enjoyed the relaxed process this allowed.” 

MICHIYO MIWA

Ink painting (Sumi-e) was initially developed in China from around 9 th to 10 th Century and was introduced into Japan around the 12 th Century together with Zen and was fully developed by the end of the 13 th Century. Initially, Sumi-e was practised amongst monks only.
Michiyo has been practising Sumi-e for about 20 years. While she was learning woodblock printing, she started using Japanese handmade paper. She was soon drawn into the paper itself for its texture and hue. She found that a combination of shades of grey and the natural glow of handmade paper gives the effects of a delicate hue of light such as shadows reflecting on paper screens, invoking the natural instinct of her birth country. To pursue further the effects of these shades of grey, she decided to study Sumi-e.

The theme of this Exhibition, Adrift, is complementary to the Zen philosophy of impermanence – nothing stays the same.
In the environment where you are constantly facing incidents totally beyond your control or efforts, only thing you could do is to accept the way as it is – leave yourself to the flow and relax – like a driftwood.