Lino Cuts inspired by Haefliger Cottage

The lino cuts (below) that were exhibited in the Landscapes, Ladies and Literature exhibition at the Barometer Gallery in Sydney were inspired by my stay in the Haefliger Cottage as part of my residency in Hill End.

Obedience! Yes that is a virtue in women...

The difficulty of finding tolerable servants... 

Recollections of bush life in Australia... 

Her domestic duties are so engrossing...

The management of household affairs... 

The titles of the works were inspired by a letter I found written by an English lady who had emigrated to Australia in the early 1800s. She was writing home describing the domestic duties in the Australian bush, and detailing how they contrasted with her old life in England.

All prints are signed and printed in a limited edition of 5. If you would like to add one to your collection visit my online store.

The Exhibition: Landscapes Ladies & Literature

Here are some images from my solo exhibition Landscapes Ladies & Literature at the Barometer Gallery in Paddington, Sydney.

It was a fabulous gallery space, with lots of natural light through two huge windows that faced onto the streets and high ceilings. The gallery was on the corner of two streets and had great street presence. 

Many people dropped in after driving past and seeing the artwork on the walls!

'Adrift in a Foreign Land' - created in Halifax, Nova Scotia

The exhibition displayed the work created on the two residencies I undertook this year: the old gold mining town of Hill End in June, and Halifax Nova Scotia in July and August 2013. All the work created was inspired by pioneering ladies in both countries.

Images inspired by Hill End onto cast porcelain bottles

If you would like to see some more images of the works created in both residencies visit my website, www.kateward.com.au 

Barometer Gallery was just around the corner from Five Ways, a well known area where five roads meet. This place has such a lovely village vibe, and reminded me a little of London. 

Great food, pubs and restaurants lined the streets. And the Jacaranda trees were in bloom. Quite delightful, creating lilac vistas and carpeting streets with purple blossoms!

And I was most taken by the Thomas Dux Grocer, a store that had a delightful assortment of delectable gourmet delights, and turns out to be an upmarket Woolworths supermarket (and much more enjoyable to shop in!)

I shopped daily at Sonoma bakery, which had a delicious assortment of sourdough breads. 

And I found the most wonderful cafe ever called Tiger Mottle. It made the best coffee and had such a great vibe.... if you are in the area I recommend checking all these places out.

Its such fun! 

Landscapes Ladies & Literature at Barometer Gallery, Sydney

I am having an exhibition at Barometer Gallery, Sydney to exhibit the works created as a result of my residency at Hill End NSW and Halifax Canada in 2013.

The exhibition runs from 28 October to 10 November, with a private view on Saturday 2 November at 5pm.

I would be delighted if you could join me and share some of my experiences of the residencies.

Newfoundland

I am very lucky to have some time to do a bit of travel whilst undertaking my residency in Nova Scotia.

So I thought I would take a trip to Newfoundland, home of a 1000 year old Viking settlement L'Anse aux Meadows to the north of the island, many Acadian (French) fishing villages, and St John's, the oldest city in North America.

I fell in love with the coastal architecture and environments and captured a few scenes in my sketchbook and I thought I would share them with you!

Its a gorgeous place with lots of great scenery, delicious seafood (cods tongue is a delicious delicacy) and beer made from icebergs!

Artist spoons out experiments

A big thank you to Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design who lined up this interview with Arts Reporter, Elissa Barnard of the Halifax Chronicle Herald Newspaper, who is such a lovely person to talk to.

The article below is the result of our chat.... (double click on the image to read the article) 

Halifax Chronicle Herald, 18 September 2013, D3

Thank you to my Pozible Supporters

Id like to give a big thank you to all of you who went the extra mile by pledging your support to assist with my residency at the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design, in Halifax Canada.

The Mitchell House Historic Property. Original hand drawn and water colour postcard

I was overwhelmed by your response, and I raised enough to cover the cost of my airfare to Halifax, Canada.

The opportunity has been truly amazing. The province is full of inspiration and I have collected enough stuff for at least four more bodies of work (yes four!) which I envisage will keep me busy for quite some time. It also gave me the opportunity to learn new skills as I developed my ideas in the Wood and Metal studios.

Morris St Historic House C1875. Original hand drawn and water colour postcard

The residency has now finished which allows time to develop designs for the rewards that were available on Pozible.

These images are the post cards three Pozible supporters will receive in the mail over the next couple of weeks.

Old Town Clock in Halifax. Original hand drawn and water colour postcard

Thank you again

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Traversing Frontiers Exhibition at Mary E Black Gallery 6 - 22 September 20013

 Wow! Its hard to believe that ten weeks have passed and that I have finished my residency in Halifax.

This past week has been a blur as I have been putting the finishing touches to my artwork. I installed my pieces on Tuesday and the opening night (reception) was on Thursday 5 September 2013. We had a great crowd and it was fascinating to see all 10 participating artist's final work in the gallery.

Pictures from opening night can be viewed here.

For those who have been following the progress of my residency you will know that I have been exploring and researching landscapes, ladies and literature in Nova Scotia. The spoon has become a metaphor for the experiences and strength of pioneering women, symbolising nurturing and referring to the hardships and lack of food the pioneers experienced during the early years of Canada's history.

Below are some images of my final pieces in the show.

Top row: Adrift in a New Land

Canadian red clay, majolica, cobalt

Bottom row: Lost in the Backwoods / Deep stillness of the woods

Canadian red clay, majolica, cobalt, decal, leather, copper pins, found forest wood

Genteel Poverty

Cut and etched antique silver spoons, antique linen  

Nature Vs Nurture

Antique silver spoons, copper wire

Dimensions variable

2013

Gallery installation view

Gallery installation view

For more images of my work and artwork in the exhibition by the ten participating artists click here.

I would also like to extend my thanks to all those who supported my Pozible project who helped to make this opportunity a reality. I have had the most amazing time. Nova Scotia has such gorgeous countryside, rich history and I have met so many fabulous people. 

It really has been a life changing experience!

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