About
I was born in Malawi and grew up in Zimbabwe. Since arriving in Australia, as an adult, I have lived and worked in a very wide range of geographical regions, both here in Australia and overseas. I have had the privileged of having seen and being influenced by a range of artistic activities through all the special places I have lived.
I am now based in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. It is this environment that currently inspires my work and provides foraged local plants and ephemera to create, dye, print, manipulate and stitch varied media to produce my fibre-based pieces. Many of these pieces are experimental and explorative.
My works begin with a variety of eco dyed and commercial fabrics, wool, cotton and silk. These are then embellished with a wide range of surface techniques such as printing, stamping, painting, slashing, three dimensional additions, and both hand and machine stitching. This allows for the development of complex and layered pieces, reflecting my personal experiences and stories, ideas and emotional responses. Some of the works are narrative based while others are abstract. But it is the process that is paramount, providing opportunities to move into differing directions as the individual pieces suggest; the musing, the choosing, the slow, slow stitching, all pay an intrinsic role in the final piece. Creating these works is intense, slow and meditative and represent a deeply absorbing professional investment.
In my most recent works, two themes have become apparent – an exploration of place and the impact of global warming on the environment. These have led to pieces which combine visual stories and images, both literal and spiritual, of memories, hopes, ideas and emotions.
Education
1961 – University of London – Diploma of Education
1985 – Charles Darwin University – BA Fine Arts
1996 – Charles Darwin University – Master of Education
2005 – Deakin University – Graduate Diploma of Development Studies
Exhibitions
2019 – Queensland Quilters Inc – Amateur Art – Third
2018 – Quilt Connect – Mt Gravatt
2017 – Quilt Connect – Mt Gravatt
2017 – Lower Clarence Arts and Crafts Association Inc. Competitive Art, Craft and Quilt Exhibition
2016 – Goonellabah Quilters Inc. – Quilt Show
2016 – Lower Clarence Arts and Crafts Association Inc. Competitive Art Craft and Quilt Exhibition – Fibre Arts – Highly Commended
2012 – Goonellabah Quilters Inc. – Quilt Show