Mycology - the study of fungi, is the inspiration for my artworks. I am drawn to the multiple intricacies which make up this amazing fifth kingdom. The forms, colours and layered structures within this range of species fascinates me. Through my work I aim to capture the beauty and structure of fungi and to create awareness in my viewers concerning the work of these amazing living organisms.
The fifth kingdom plays an important role on this planet. Some species are decomposers, recycling and breaking down nutrients from other plant forms. Without this process the nitrogen in dead organic matter would remain trapped, thus reducing plant growth. Other important factors fungi play is in the use of bio control, by controlling pest diseases on our crops, antibiotics, food source and preparation including yeasts required for breads and the fermentation of beer and wine.
My work consists of using traditional metalsmithing techniques while experimenting with different metals, surface treatments, patination applications and kinetic movement. Subtle or obvious there is always some degree of movement in my work, giving each piece a unique visual experience as the forms continuously change.
Exploring size, form, colour and movement gives my practice many layers just like the growth of fungi. This has led me to create small and large scale forms using multiples, including jewellery, wall pieces and installations, while incorporating a variety of different materials.
I aspire to capture the essence of the fungi which is a hidden treasure doing thankless tasks to help make this planet work.
The fifth kingdom plays an important role on this planet. Some species are decomposers, recycling and breaking down nutrients from other plant forms. Without this process the nitrogen in dead organic matter would remain trapped, thus reducing plant growth. Other important factors fungi play is in the use of bio control, by controlling pest diseases on our crops, antibiotics, food source and preparation including yeasts required for breads and the fermentation of beer and wine.
My work consists of using traditional metalsmithing techniques while experimenting with different metals, surface treatments, patination applications and kinetic movement. Subtle or obvious there is always some degree of movement in my work, giving each piece a unique visual experience as the forms continuously change.
Exploring size, form, colour and movement gives my practice many layers just like the growth of fungi. This has led me to create small and large scale forms using multiples, including jewellery, wall pieces and installations, while incorporating a variety of different materials.
I aspire to capture the essence of the fungi which is a hidden treasure doing thankless tasks to help make this planet work.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
2004 Postgraduate Diploma, Jewellery Production, Curtin University, WA
2002 Certificate IV Sculpture, Bunbury Tafe, WA
1988-1990 BA (Visual Arts), Jewellery, Metal & 3D Design, Curtin University, WA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2013 Rockford Wines - Commission for lights, Barossa, SA
2013 Fungi Perfecti, Workshop/seminars with Mycologist Paul Stamets, Olympia, Washington State, USA
2011 Robert Foster Design Workshop, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
2010 Lecturer at University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA
2008-2009 Studio Production Co-ordinator, Metal Design Studio, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
2007 Silversmithing Workshop with Oliver Smith, ANU, Canberra, ACT
2006-2007 Design Associate, Metal Design Studio, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
SOLO
2017 Collections Project, Museum of Economic Botany, Adelaide, SA
2015 Fungicidal, Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide, SA
2012 Fungology, Urban Cow, Adelaide, SA
2011 Hidden Treasures, Craft ACT, Canberra, ACT
2010 Cookeina Collection, Studio Ingot, Melbourne, VIC
Fifth Kingdom, Crucible Gallery, Artisan, Brisbane, QLD
2009 Morphology of Fungi, Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide, SA
Fifth Kingdom, Metalab, Sydney, NSW
2008 Fifth Kingdom, Atrium, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
2007 Artist of the Month, Soda and Rhyme, North Adelaide, SA
SELECTED GROUP
2015 Artisans in the Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, NSW
Brighton Jetty Sculpture Classic, Adelaide, SA
2014 SALA, Terrace Floors and Furnishings, Adelaide SA
About Zu design, Zu Design, Adelaide SA
2013 New Collections Showcase, Studio 20/17, Sydney NSW
Miniature, Pembroke SHS, Kensington Park, Adelaide SA
2012 The Grass is Greener, Zu Design, Adelaide SA
Wear a piece of Adelaide, Adelaide College of the Arts, Adelaide SA
2011 Room for Growth, Prospect Gallery, Prospect, SA
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Artisan, Brisbane, QLD (Touring Show)
Contemporary Wearables, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery QLD
Contemporary Australian Silver & Metalwork Exhibition, Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, VIC & ArtsCentre,
Melbourne VIC
Underfoot. Overhead, Object Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2010 Summer Mode, Art Images, Adelaide, SA
Cherish, Artisan, Brisbane, QLD
Teawares, Gallery 1, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
Return, Central Gallery, Tafe, Perth, WA
JMGA Members Exhibition, Perth Galleries, North Fremantle, WA
2009 Christmas Show ’09, Studio 20/17, Sydney, NSW
Explorations ’09, Gaffa, Sydney, NSW
Guildford Lane Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Whyalla Art Prize, Middleback Theatre, Whyalla, SA
2008 Waterhouse Prize, SA Museum, Adelaide, SA
National Archives of Australia, Canberra, ACT
Design Now, Country Arts SA, Touring Exhibition of Rural SA
JMGA Conference, Adelaide Airport Display, SA
2007 Biennial, Gallery 1,JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
Sixfold, Gaffa Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Mettle,Studio Retail Gallery, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
Contemporary Wearables, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery Qld
Catch On 2,COEX Convention and Exhibition Centre, Seoul, Korea
2006 Jambox, Studio Retail Gallery, JamFactory, SA
Expeditions ’06, Metalab Studio and Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Grasp, Horus and Delorus, Sydney, NSW
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2015 Brighton Jetty Sculpture Classic, Indoor Winner, Brighton, SA
2012 Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Professional Development (Researh trip to Washington State, USA to
attend seminars held by mycologist Paul Stamets)
Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Project Grant (Research and Development of larger scale works)
2010 Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Project Grant (To Produce a body of work for solo exhibition at Craft
ACT)
2009 Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Last Minute Presentation (To exhibit ‘Fifth Kingdom at Artisan)
2008 Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Project Grant (To produce a new body of work for solo exhibtion at JamFactory)
Waterhouse prize, Third prize, Sculpture Category, SA Museum
2004 Postgraduate Diploma, Jewellery Production, Curtin University, WA
2002 Certificate IV Sculpture, Bunbury Tafe, WA
1988-1990 BA (Visual Arts), Jewellery, Metal & 3D Design, Curtin University, WA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2013 Rockford Wines - Commission for lights, Barossa, SA
2013 Fungi Perfecti, Workshop/seminars with Mycologist Paul Stamets, Olympia, Washington State, USA
2011 Robert Foster Design Workshop, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
2010 Lecturer at University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA
2008-2009 Studio Production Co-ordinator, Metal Design Studio, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
2007 Silversmithing Workshop with Oliver Smith, ANU, Canberra, ACT
2006-2007 Design Associate, Metal Design Studio, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
SOLO
2017 Collections Project, Museum of Economic Botany, Adelaide, SA
2015 Fungicidal, Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide, SA
2012 Fungology, Urban Cow, Adelaide, SA
2011 Hidden Treasures, Craft ACT, Canberra, ACT
2010 Cookeina Collection, Studio Ingot, Melbourne, VIC
Fifth Kingdom, Crucible Gallery, Artisan, Brisbane, QLD
2009 Morphology of Fungi, Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide, SA
Fifth Kingdom, Metalab, Sydney, NSW
2008 Fifth Kingdom, Atrium, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
2007 Artist of the Month, Soda and Rhyme, North Adelaide, SA
SELECTED GROUP
2015 Artisans in the Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, NSW
Brighton Jetty Sculpture Classic, Adelaide, SA
2014 SALA, Terrace Floors and Furnishings, Adelaide SA
About Zu design, Zu Design, Adelaide SA
2013 New Collections Showcase, Studio 20/17, Sydney NSW
Miniature, Pembroke SHS, Kensington Park, Adelaide SA
2012 The Grass is Greener, Zu Design, Adelaide SA
Wear a piece of Adelaide, Adelaide College of the Arts, Adelaide SA
2011 Room for Growth, Prospect Gallery, Prospect, SA
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Artisan, Brisbane, QLD (Touring Show)
Contemporary Wearables, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery QLD
Contemporary Australian Silver & Metalwork Exhibition, Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, VIC & ArtsCentre,
Melbourne VIC
Underfoot. Overhead, Object Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2010 Summer Mode, Art Images, Adelaide, SA
Cherish, Artisan, Brisbane, QLD
Teawares, Gallery 1, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
Return, Central Gallery, Tafe, Perth, WA
JMGA Members Exhibition, Perth Galleries, North Fremantle, WA
2009 Christmas Show ’09, Studio 20/17, Sydney, NSW
Explorations ’09, Gaffa, Sydney, NSW
Guildford Lane Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Whyalla Art Prize, Middleback Theatre, Whyalla, SA
2008 Waterhouse Prize, SA Museum, Adelaide, SA
National Archives of Australia, Canberra, ACT
Design Now, Country Arts SA, Touring Exhibition of Rural SA
JMGA Conference, Adelaide Airport Display, SA
2007 Biennial, Gallery 1,JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
Sixfold, Gaffa Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Mettle,Studio Retail Gallery, JamFactory, Adelaide, SA
Contemporary Wearables, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery Qld
Catch On 2,COEX Convention and Exhibition Centre, Seoul, Korea
2006 Jambox, Studio Retail Gallery, JamFactory, SA
Expeditions ’06, Metalab Studio and Gallery, Sydney, NSW
Grasp, Horus and Delorus, Sydney, NSW
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2015 Brighton Jetty Sculpture Classic, Indoor Winner, Brighton, SA
2012 Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Professional Development (Researh trip to Washington State, USA to
attend seminars held by mycologist Paul Stamets)
Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Project Grant (Research and Development of larger scale works)
2010 Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Project Grant (To Produce a body of work for solo exhibition at Craft
ACT)
2009 Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Last Minute Presentation (To exhibit ‘Fifth Kingdom at Artisan)
2008 Arts SA Grant, Independent Makers and Presenters, Project Grant (To produce a new body of work for solo exhibtion at JamFactory)
Waterhouse prize, Third prize, Sculpture Category, SA Museum