Sunday, July 8, 2012

Tread Lightly finishes

The lovely exhibition Tread Lightly, at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanical Gardens, finished today.

I have really enjoyed taking people to see it, and hearing feedback from folk who have visited. I think it is a special exhibition in that it doesn't have a single piece of traditional art within it.  Every piece seems to me to be filled with imagination, inquisitiveness and ideas and exploration.

One person said they thought it was extraordinary - there wasn't a single piece in the whole exhibition that they didn't like. I've had friends recalling every piece and how it made them feel, and how it inspired them. Others spent the time just taking images of the shadows and the paper for what seemed like hours. So I think I'd have to say it feels as if it has been a success.

Another feature of the exhibition has been the placement of artworks within the gardens themselves; mostly ephemeral works that will drift and decay, some that will last a little bit longer.

I contributed my rusty tree wraps, that are hand-stitched, use lots of rusty fabrics (inlcuding leather) and have words like 'meaning', 'connecting', and 'belonging' written on them.

Here are some shots of them wrapped around a magnificent tree...




And some of their details...





Seeing them out in the bush again has made me decide to leave them outside when they come home...wrapped around a tree or a log or a rock to gently weather away. They have been outside before, and started getting some great marks on them; but now is the time for them to stay outside I think. They will have certainly weathered more in the past few weeks; we've had a lot of rain...

23 comments:

  1. its nice to leave things to their own devices in the weather..... and let them find their own way home to the earth....

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    1. I think so too Ronnie and I will enjoy watching the fabric...

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  2. If I were a tree, I would be happy to be embraced by your work. There is always something so deep and comforting in what you do, life and death and culture cuddling together.

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    1. Thank you Ersi, they do look at home and at one with the trees. It's interesting to me what stories they tell...

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  3. Nothing like nature to impart richness and depth! Beautiful work.

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    1. Thanks Jann - there rain added some beautiful greys and darks to the wraps and has already softened them. It will be fun to show them again in a few months.

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  4. I agree! I think that's a lovely idea for these works. I've been thinking of leaving some works out in my environment to weather when I get home. I've been inspired by the beautiful landscapes I've seen to make a stronger connection myself.

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    1. Hi Amanda. Thank you - they were always meant to wrap around trees and just slowly disappear...so it's about time I actually did it properly. I like having pieces in the yard weathering and dissipating..the notion of returning to the earth...hope you find some wonderful things to do when you return home. Travel safe.

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  5. Love these tree wrappings Fiona. Will visit occasionally to see how they're weathering.

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    1. Thanks Jo -please do! They are already changed by all the rain of the past few weeks - and have started to tear and fall apart a bit in places too. Just what I wanted to observe...nature at play on my pieces.

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  6. Your tree wrappings are filled with personal meaning for me. The rust,fence steeples(that is what my Dad called them) washers, horseshoe nails, burlap, rusty nails and twine are all components from my childhood. Weathering your creations wrapped around a tree seems very meaningful on many levels. Thanks you for sharing your beautiful work!

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    1. Hello Lisa - and thank you for stopping by. I loved your dad's description of the 'fence steeples' so perfect! I always liked those little bits in particular. I think watching nature play upon them, and observing the gentle cycle of decay will be special in its own little way. I am glad you enjoyed them.

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  7. I loved the exhibition - definitely embodied the 'tread lightly' theme. Love the way the tree wraps are evolving - treading lightly amongst the trees like little possums scampering up, leaving a scratch here and there. XXX

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    1. Hi N - lighter than your little possums I hope! They are already drifting and fading more after the past few weeks - they re softer now and looking more lovely I think.

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  8. Really loved Tread Lightly and finding the surprises in the gardens. Two friends and I had a few opour exploring and enjoying on one of those beautiful sunny days. Perfect. Thanks for the work.

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    1. Thanks Juanita (J) - it's good to know you enjoyed it and the surprises in the gardens. Such a lovely setting I thought. Oh and one of those perfect sunny winter days would have been wonderful!

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  9. good to have them hugging trees, maybe.

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    1. I think so V - hugging trees is a good thing I think!

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  10. Love these pieces Fiona...so beautiful the way they become one with the tree with their evocative marks. Love the idea of letting them stay outdoors, becoming one with their surroundings! Lovely!

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    1. Thank you Patti - they really do suit the trees and as I have mentioned, are already softening, getting greys and darks and a little bit frayed. Observing the transition is a nice thing to be doing. Go well.

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  11. It's fantastic, for the textures and the colors!!! Wow!

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  12. Hell GT - thank you for stopping by and for your thoughts. I'm really glad you enjoyed the textures and the colours - altho they are a bit softer and greyer now after the rain.

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    1. Well actually that was supposed to be Hello...so sorry for the typo.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.