How were you inspired by the location/surroundings of Eramboo Artist Environment?

Eramboo is a unique nature sanctuary, with wildlife in abundance. Workshop participants, visiting artists and the artists who work in the Eramboo studios daily are all inspired by this exceptional natural environment which is so close to the city. Artists from all around the world come to visit Eramboo and since my arrival in February 2022, I have met writers, musicians and cross disciplinary artists from far away as Taiwan.

Were there any unexpected influences?

I was surprised to discover two beehives on the grounds of Eramboo, one for European honeybees and the other for native bees and I also identified many pollen-laden plants within a 3km radius of Eramboo when foraging for food. These plants inspired me to create large, colourful pollen grains out of clay to emphasise their significance and beauty.

Tell us about your upcoming exhibition the Hive Project onsite at Eramboo in November?

Habitat. The Bee Project is my upcoming exhibition that continues my interest in the species extinction, in this case the decline of bee populations in Australia, particularly since the Black Summer fires of 2019/2020 with the recent Varroa mite outbreak.

The exhibition features innovative but habitable clay beehives and honeycombing sculptural forms inspired by the exquisite u-shapes of prismatic structures built by bees in the wild. In addition, a series of sculptural forms derived from microscopic imaging of pollen grains collected by local bees will be displayed. My aim is to bring greater visibility to bees and their declining population by creating aesthetically pleasing art works.

What advice do you have for emerging artists, looking to establish a professional practice?

I encourage local emerging artists to engage with their community by applying for local Art Prizes, such as the Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize, exhibiting in local art galleries or art outlets, conducting workshops to share their talents and skills, and in particular undertaking artist residencies in the Northern Beaches such as the Eramboo Artist in Residence Program.

You recently held a talk at MAG&M about your work in the ceramics collection, what does it mean to you to be a part of the collection?

I am very proud to be part of the MAG&M ceramics collection. We have had a long association through the Australian Ceramics Association, including curating and participating in numerous exhibitions. In 2016, I was invited to be part of an exciting project titled Out of Quarantine, presented by Manly Art Gallery and Museum, in partnership with Q Station Sydney Harbour National Park, Manly. Out of Quarantine was an exhibition exploring the ideas of quarantine, migration and place.

Gallery

Images courtesy of the artist.