Where are my manners... (and where has January disappeared to)? Not sure why everything has been so difficult this month, all I've wanted to do is sleep at every possible opportunity. So the best way to get back on track is to share two works I recently bought from two gorgeous Australian artists, who I got to know late last year through ye ol' blogosphere.
Sydney artist Sandra Winkworth held an exhibition of her stunning painted bird studies (inspired by the 19th century collection at the Uni of Sydney’s Macleay Museum) with deconstructed books and discarded ephemera (frayed & aged with hues of brown & hints of mould), in November last year at Hand Held Gallery in Melbourne. Since we had engaged in a number of online exchanges, I was uber excited to hear she'd be here for her opening. I popped in to this great little gallery and shop (located on the upper level of a small city plaza - well done Megan - it's a fabulous project!) and before long found myself faced with the difficult task of choosing a piece - because... welll.. I just had to! Her delicate assemblages enticed the viewer closer with their detail, and once they held your attention in this way, often surprised and always delighted. I was tossing up between a few pieces, when finally, I of course, took home the more kooky one - with spotted birdies flying the loop the loop. I'm so predictable sometimes!
I was also thrilled that Melbourne based artist/designer Sandra Eterovic arrived. I've been a fan of her body of work since it appeared on Etsy and at Craft Victoria. Beautiful hand sewn scarves, painted plywood sculptures, 'make your own man' cubes (hilarious!), knitted delights, handpainted mirrors with pipes & hats & hairdo's & lips & beards, vertical hand clocks (so wonderfully innovative), illustrated paper goods... mmmm. Her quirky, unique, illustrative style carries a surrealist folk aesthetic, with a charismatic eastern European twist - and will often make you chuckle aloud, or smile with recognition. But it was when the newly created tattooed sailor appeared on her blog, that I knew we had to share a life together. So once delectable muffins filled with her mum's pineapple (and ginger?) marmalade were consumed with chats (in amongst a vast collection of splendid objects) about the woes of perfectionism, the chap and I headed home... very, very, very contented... and a couple more muffins in hand. And here we are, rosie cheeked, breathless, gazing at each other across the desk. (I think I need some help coming up with a name for him... suggestions welcome!)
Sandra Eterovic: blog, etsy, flickr, Craft Victoria, The Design Files profile
Sandra Winkworth: blog, Hand Held Gallery
9 comments:
Hi Helen,
They look so happy together - shame they can't form the basis of an etsy treasury...! It was great to catch up with you on Saturday. I am sure that the little sailor has gone to a home full of wonderful little friends to gaze at, not least Swinkie's beautiful birds. Many thanks and may you share some wonderful times! ;)
So nice to see Sandra Eterovic's work here, a definite fave of mine!
lovely works! doesn't it make life good!
scary how january has dashed off so quickly {mostly} ~ hope you're feeling better. january in melbourne can make you feel weird i think.
:)
Sandra, there'll be no cavorting with other litte friends at the moment, he is duty bound to only have eyes for me! Don't be concerned, he'll be ok with that.
Deborah, so please SW is a fave of yours. She's a mighty talented gal.
And Belinda, it does indeed make life good, although 2011 is unfortunately the year of NOT spending - so sad but true. Refraining from fulfilling my wish list is going to be torturous!! And thank you, I am feeling much better. You're right, January is indeed an odd month.
They are fabulous - so fresh! Thanks for introducing me to their work :) Kx
january sure has flown by! they are both such outstanding pieces and look great side by side interestingly enough. i bet sandra w's pieces up close are something to see. isn't it the greatest when you can actually meet the artists themselves. ♥
Hi, Helen thank you so much for all your comments. I missed you here in blogland. I would also liked to go to Sandra's show, I really love her work. You couldn't have found no better fitting piece of Sandra. This is perfect. Wish you a nice weekend. Barbara
P.S. I guess i ticked scanning for the sketchbook, I not quite sure anymore.
Stupendous! It's a month of Sandra! THank you Helen!! What a surprise to see those stiff and loopy Star Finches in the blogroll. Somehow they seem to go well next to that handsome sailor. You know being a newbie in town, you and Sandra really made my night taking me for a feasting after Hand Held. Hope to do it again this year... xx
Nice to see you back! Love the Sandra Winkworth piece. Lucky you.
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