TEXTURED EARTH — CANBERRA TO YASS

What a great afternoon at Tyger Gallery in Yass (Saturday, October 22). Inspirational talks by four of the Canberra artists — Josie Cosgrove, Karyn Fearnside, Liz Perry, Monique van Nieuwland — on show in Textured Earth from the mainly Canberra-based group Networks Australia. 

Vivid photographic works suggesting texture and planets by multimedia artist Josie who has a passion for science and art; a close focus on banksias and the ‘placid’ natural world as a rest from her more usual political world by Karyn; a journey through the earth in layers with earth-based colourings including desert sands by Liz; and a walk through buried/composted fabrics recycled into weaving by up-cycler Monique. Stratification in so many senses. All fascinating. 

Thanks to Deborah Faeyrglenn, Networks Australia member (not in this particular group show) for drawing this exhibition to my attention.

Photo 1: Josie Cosgrove describes the creative process behind her planet series (microscopic photography, inkjet print on wooden panels with matte laminate) — and shows samples of merch which include dresses (see Josie) and bags.

Photo 2: Karyn Fearnside with Volcano Banksia and River Banksia to her left and shares the story behind her mixed media (includes ink and eucalyptus dyes) drawings also on exhibition and (Photo 3) wool and other yarn tapestry samples.

Photo 4: Liz Perry describes the stratosphere of her work Terra Firma and the range of materials used including woven raffia, paper, cellulose, wool, cotton wefts, with earth pigment dyed cottolin warp and bone.

Photo 5 & 6: Monique van Nieuwland talks about the upcycling and composting of fabrics prior to weaving Stratification II (recycled cloth as a weft, dyed naturally in mud and compost and marked with rust).

Background: Tyger is a non-profit gallery with proceeds going towards future exhibitions and fifty percent towards local charities. New exhibition: Life Needs to Move paintings by Laura Prochowski — showing until November 12.

By the bye Tyger Gallery is in the space which for many many years was the Yass Youth Centre. The last Yass Youth Worker was Binalong’s Wyatt who held the position for eight years until his premature passing (RIP), and prior to that Bill Murphy (my late husband) for eighteen years. As Wyatt would tell you himself, Bill mentored him in his early years in the position. But more to the point, Bill had an interest in music and photography and Wyatt was a graduate of the Canberra School of Art (now ANU) with a big focus on screen printing — circles. Canberra artists exhibiting in Yass — more circles and  connections.