9. Cycle – It’s been playful and it’s happening

With the final studio visit by Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG), this time with Director Sarah Gurich; the publication of notices in Artist Profile magazine and Art Guide Australia (thanks BRAG); and the last bits and pieces being finalised, it is starting to feel like my upcoming exhibition at BRAG is real.  Like the previous studio visits: with Emma Collerton and Julian Woods from BRAG; and then Tracy Sorensen who has written an incredibly insightful essay for the catalogue, this studio visit was encouraging too. There is a level of comfort heading into this exhibition. I also feel inspired to work with the Gallery staff on the install.  
 
In developing the work for this exhibition ‘playing’ has been an integral part of the process.  I have played with the physically of setting up still life theatres: with my kid’s toys resting on screws on the wall; my kids organic finds placed in a shoebox on a tripod; and with my painted clouds on sticks inserted in still life scenes of kitchenalia reflecting on a glass tabletop.  I have played with paint.  I adore the materiality of playing with layers and moving oil paint around.  All of my paintings developed during the lead up to this exhibition have started with a painted ground of yellow ochre.  Many have finished with this ground integral to the works composition.  I have played with concepts: of nature and culture coalescing; of things being actors; and of ecological impact.  I have played with new art forms for me – like my first animation.  And I look forward to the possibility of playing in the process of the install too.
 
This program is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.