Public Art: Curtin Shopping Centre ACT

The Christmas and New Year holidays are always a good time to catch up on all those things I have been meaning to do, but never quite seem to find the time.

I was sorting through some boxes of my art stuff that was packed away before I moved to London (over ten years ago now) and I found images of some of my old artwork. So I have been updating my website.

One of the first projects I embarked upon after graduating from Art School in 1999 was a collaboration with artist, Matthew Harding to create public artworks for the Curtin Shopping Centre, in Canberra, ACT.

stained glass mosaic pedestal 

Canberra is the bush capital of Australia, with corridors of native bush that lead right into the city. Due to this there is an abundance of native wildlife and the variety of birds is simply delightful. This became the theme for the project, and we called it 'Flights of Fancy'.

Honey Eater stained glass mosaic pedestal

Working with images of birds: kookaburra, galah, rosella, blue wren, honey eater to mention a few, we created stained glass benches, designed cast bronze feather inserts into the paving, laser cut and powder coated steel banners, bin surrounds and drain grates, printed textile banners, and hand carved wooden play sculptures.

If you would like to see more visit my website. 

Goulburn commission: a gift to celebrate Canberra's Centenary

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to meet Katy Gallagher, the ACT Chief Minister, when presenting a gift from the Mayor of Goulburn to celebrate Canberra's Centenary.

From left to right: The Very Rev'd Phillip Saunders Dean of St Xaviour's Cathedral,
me (Kate Ward, Artist), Katy Gallagher ACT Chief Minister,
Geoff Kettle Mayor Goulburn Mulwaree, and Rt. Rev’d Stuart Robinson.

I met Geoff Kettle, Mayor, Goulburn Mulwaree Council last year following the exciting announcement that my work had been selected to celebrate Canberra's centenary when I designed three screen printed tea towels which are currently available for sale around Canberra or online. (for more info visit this previous blog entry)

Detail of the small vessels
Image by Art Atelier Photography

 Geoff Kettle and I discussed the various possibilities to create a gift for Canberra from the people of Goulburn and we decided upon a ceramic vessel that would have an image of St Saviour's, as this was the Cathedral that made Goulburn the first inland city. St Saviours also turns 150 this year, so it has been a year of celebrations within the Canberra region.

St Saviour's Cathedral. Large vessel and four small.
Image by Art Atelier Photography

When we met and I had a small 'marquette' of how the larger vessel would look, it was decided that each of the Officials involved would also have a smaller version to commemorate the occasion, and so four smaller vessels were also made. The large vessel measures about 30cm high and 11cm in diameter. The small vessels are 10cm high and 8cm in diameter.

St Saviour's Cathedral
Image by Art Atelier Photography

 

Image by Art Atelier Photography

 

Detail of the small vessels
Image by Art Atelier Photography

There are a whole lot of exciting things happening over the next few months, stay tuned and all will be revealed!

Until then, I hope you stay warm and enjoy the colder winter months. Here's a great recipe from Jamie O for mulled wine - which Im sure will help keep away those winter blues.

Kate x

Behind the Scenes: I heart Canberra tea towels

A behind the scenes look at my tea towel design for the Centenary of Canberra being printed by Copperhead Printers.

Amazing machinery, lovely people and very cool that they listen to my favourite station: Triple J

Images of the printed tea towels can be found here

x

Special Ceramic Commission

I have been asked to create a series of pots that celebrate and remember special times in a person's life for a private commission.

European Church, porcelain pot approximately 7 x 9 cm

Working directly from images I have translated the pictures by hand onto the porcelain surface.

Beach Scene, porcelain pot approximately 7 x 9 cm

Using etching and water colour techniques, the images are a pretty soft lavender colour before the firing process begins.

Canoe, porcelain pot approximately 7 x 9 cm

 After the firing process, the lavender will turn a beautiful royal blue.

 Lake, porcelain pot approximately 7 x 9 cm

Ill post some more images when the pots are complete.

Kx

Reminiscing: Story of Stratford art project

I was reminded the other day of one of my projects I implemented whilst in London working at Westfield Shoppingtowns Ltd as their inaugural Public Art Coordinator.

Story of Stratford
image courtesy of http://uk.westfield.com

The project was called The Story of Stratford a two year art project to document the progress of the Stratford City development (the site adjacent to the 2012 Olympics). British artist who lives in the East End Helen Marshall, creatively lead the project working with participants from local schools. It was managed by A New Direction, an independent not for profit organisation which advocates for and facilitates creative learning, by connecting young people and schools with creative practitioners and organisations.

It documents the progress of the Stratford City development, from a building site in 2009 to an operational retail centre upon its opening in 2011 and the project explored how the history and regeneration of Stratford will change the lives of the students and their families.

Importantly the project enabled the children to engage with the site, develop their creativity and encourage learning in a fun and creative environment.

The project finished last year in 2011 and it is exciting to see how it has developed.

Centenary of Canberra - Legacy of Good design article

Yesterday the program was launched for next year's celebrations of Canberra's 100th birthday at the Canberra Theatre. 

Behind a large plywood 100 structure resting on the steps of the theatre, amidst the song and dance routines, the Canberra memorabilia products were launched.

 To coincide with the launch a double page spread appeared in September's Art Monthly magazine. The five designs, which until now have been kept secret, have been revealed. 

Double click on the image for a readable version

Double click on the image for a readable version

The products will be available from a number of places within Canberra including the National Gallery of Australia, War Memorial and National Museum of Australia to name a few.

Keep an eye on the Craft ACT website which will have a list of all the places, as well as the opportunity to buy the product online.

Winner of the Centenary of Canberra - a legacy of good design

Photographed by Art Atelier

Im delighted to share with you that I have been selected as one of six artists to design and produce a limited range of quality objects that will be sold locally and nationally as memorabilia for Canberra's centenary in 2013.

The competition is being managed by Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre. For more details on the project and the press release visit their site.

click on this image for a larger, readable version

The announcement was officially made on Monday, as part of the Canberra Day celebrations, by Robyn Archer AO, Creative Director of the Centenary of Canberra. Julia Gillard was also there to launch the celebrations. Wow!

 Some of you may be familiar with my previous Canberra designs, like I heart Canberra

 and the Lake Burley Griffin sketch ....

photo by Art Atelier

The designs selected for the Centenary Competition are under wraps and will be announced in September this year. Until then I have to keep the design a secret.

x

National Gallery of Australia Commission

I have been working with the National Gallery of Australia over the past couple of months to create an image of the new entrance to the gallery which will be printed onto tea towels. After several design variations they decided on the one below....

They were printed and delivered last week :)