Art

Sculptural Fibre Artist: CATRIONA POLLARD

It takes an artist to see the true beauty in inanimate objects and visualise how she would use these in a creative form. Her work binds immense femininity, sensitivity and strength. With every piece there is a story to be told. Catriona depicts friends, family and places. What really amazes me is her great sensitivity with the use of materials and the effortless combination of them. Producing often tightness in contrast with fluid form. Jason Woodland, Fanuli

My art offers glimpses of shapeshifting natural forms, from unnoticed branches, leaves and seedpods into shapes that move you; that celebrate the abundance of nature and our place in this universe.

Through my sculptures, I use nature as a way to connect with people that goes beyond physical beauty, but touches them in a personal and profound way. Transforming discarded organic material into sculptures forces people to view the natural world around them in a different way.

It adds a layer of wonder and contemplative engagement, and can also lead to a reflection on our inner landscape and the question of what would happen if we saw aspects of our lives in different ways.

The forms I weave tell stories relating to friends, family and experiences. They are about truly seeing the extraordinary in everyday moments. For me, it’s about being still, and letting the beauty surface.

I use foraged and discarded plant material with traditional basketry and assemblage techniques to showcase nature and the beauty it shares with us. Most of my work contains nothing but the organic fibre – no glue or synthetic dyes, and most don’t even use anything to bind it together, such as thread or wire.

Inspiration
Growing up in country NSW with summers at the beach and every other school holidays camping and walking through National Parks has resulted in a deep connection with the natural world around me.

As I walk through the bush tracks around Sydney Harbour inspiration presents itself. I see a fallen tree with the roots exposed and an idea for a sculpture is illuminated. Or as I wade through the rock pools at Balmoral, the shape of the water against the rocks becomes an idea for a sculpture.

Weaving using organic material is about listening to what it wants to be. I may have an idea about what I’m going to create. And then I’ll pick up the material and start the sculpture and the material decides what it wants to become.

My work adds a contemporary layer to the ancient art form of weaving, which is often dismissed as functional craft. My work gives the viewer the opportunity review their assumptions about craft and its potential in art. When they see my work, it forces them to see beyond their concept of basketry.

In addition to sculpture, I also spend time creating ephemeral works as I have an interest in the concept of impermanence within nature and the juxtaposition of society’s current disconnection with it. I use ephemeral artworks to explore these concepts. The process of disintegration of organic material – and spending a day creating art that is simply left to disintegrate is an integral aspect of this exploration.

Accolades
Predominately self-taught, I have done weaving sessions with Mary Hettmansperger (US), Tim Johnson (UK), Robyn Djunginy (NAIDOC National Artist of the Year), Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Mavis Ganambarr, Meri Peach, (the late) Jim Wallis and acclaimed Australian basket artist (the late) Virginia Kaiser.

I’ve been shortlisted as Emerging Artist of the Year Craft NSW (2014, 2015), finalist Ravenswood Women’s Art Prize (2017-2018), Northern Beaches Art Prize (2017-2018), North Sydney Art Prize (2013-2015), Warringah Art Prize (2016), and Mosman Art Gallery 2088 (2011-2019), Little Things Art Prize (2019).

My solo exhibitions in 2015, 2016 and 2018 (x2) were highly successful and I enjoy teaching creativity and weaving with sold-out workshops at my showroom in Neutral Bay as well at Sturt Craft and Design Centre and Sydney Craft Week, to name a few. For more information on workshops go here.

My work is featured nationally in galleries, high end design spaces and private collections including Sydney Road Gallery, Australian Design Centre, Sturt Craft and Design Centre, Broken Hill Regional Gallery and Fanuli Furniture.

PUBLIC WORKSHOPS

Your workshop was the best I have ever attended or likely to. It was so complete with our written work, discussions, meditations, ephemeral art, as well as all the great techniques and the total class commitment and enthusiasm – Rachel

I had a wonderful day creating, learning new skills, using natural elements and sitting chatting with like-minded women. What a gift to be able to take time out with Catriona guiding us enthusiastically and nurturing our new skills and self-belief. Thanks heaps Catriona – Robin

Thoroughly enjoyed the random weave workshop. It was lovely to spend time creating a sculpture from nature, in the company of like-minded people. – Anita

LEARN SCULPTURAL BASKETRY

Every month – dates and bookings on TheArtofWeaving.com.au

Where: Catriona Pollard Artist Showroom, Level 1, 4 Young St Neutral Bay
Cost: $195 inc GST and material

Learn the random weave basketry technique using the wonderful Bangalow Palm inflorescence. The workshop is all about exploration and play – not perfection. Experience and explore sculptural basketry techniques and learn how to create something from found organic material just using your hands and imagination.

It’s a small class so you get hands-on tuition from an expert. Materials included, but if you have access to Bangalow Palm inflorescence then bring it along. Once booked, I’ll give you preparation notes.

Suitable for beginners, or intermediate weavers. (If you’ve never done weaving before – perfect! You’ll love it and leave with finished baskets).

Fibre Arts Australia – 1-7 April 2020, Ballarat Grammar, Ballarat Victoria

Join me for this 5 day residential workshop: Weaving creativity – basketry weaving in sculptural form

Taping into your creativity, we will be exploring traditional basketry with a sculptural perspective.

This workshop is so much more than just learning techniques, it’s an opportunity to connect with nature, your stories and tap into powerful creativity that is ready to surface. You will be learning and exploring my favourite basketry techniques including random weaving, twining, Neolithic twining and looping using copper, twine and foraged natural fibres. You will complete a series of sculptural forms culminating in your very own sculpture using the techniques we’ve explored and materials that you’ve foraged as well as class materials.

Learning at your own pace, in this hands on, practical workshop is all about exploration and experimentation not perfection. While learning basketry techniques, you will be reconnecting with your imagination and creativity.

Click for booking and more information

ANCIENT ART OF TWINING

Next date TBA

Where: Catriona Pollard Artist Showroom, Level 1, 4 Young St Neutral Bay
Cost: $195 inc GST and materials

Having spent hundreds – if not thousands of hours twining so many different types of materials, I just love twining. It’s my go to basketry technique where ever I am – on the train from Rome to Florence, sitting on the beach or in front of TV. It’s one of those techniques that once you’ve learnt the fundamentals, you can apply to so many materials, forms, baskets and sculptures.

In this basketry workshop, learn the ancient basketry technique of twining using beautiful polished hemp. You’ll learn how to twine and also how to add in to create patterns. During this full-day basketry workshop, there will be time to explore this beautiful weaving technique. Over the day we will be making two small baskets so you will leave confident in the technique, and how to start and do multiple finishes. It’s a small class so you get hands-on tuition from an expert. All materials included.

Suitable for beginners, or intermediate weavers. (If you’ve never done weaving before – perfect! You’ll love it and leave with finished baskets).

Selected Previous Workshops

Sturt Summer School – Interwoven creativity- weaving natural forms – WAIT LIST ONLY
Spend 5 days with me exploring nature, weaving and creativity at the Sturt Summer School at Mittagong, 3-8 January 2019 .

Learn Sculptural Basketry with Catriona Pollard – Mosman Art Gallery – booked out
13 October 2018, 1-5pm

Fibre Arts Festival, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
17, 18, 19 November 2018

Sturt Craft and Design Centre, Mittagong – booked out
26-27 May 2018
Sturt Craft and Design Centre, Mittagong

Art in Nature: exploring your creativity – booked out
2-4 April, 2018
Waverley, South Taranaki

Sydney Craft Week/Mosman Festival – booked out
Sun. 15 October 2017, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mosman Village Yoga

Fluidity – booked out
Morning and afternoon Sun. 21 May 2017, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm & 2pm-5pm, Warringah Creative Space 105 Abbott Rd North Curl Curl, NSW
Experience and explore the sculptural basketry technique of random weaving in conjunction with my Fluidity Exhibition

Sturt Winter School – Interwoven creativity- weaving natural forms – booked out
Spend 5 days with me exploring nature, weaving and creativity at the Sturt Winter School at Mittagong, 3-7 July 2017.

CREATIVITY WORKSHOPS FOR ORGANISATIONS

So often innovation and creativity is linked to technology and developing the latest digital application. What if your innovative and creativity process used ancient techniques that not only engage with logic and problem solving, but also taps into the creative and imaginative side of the brain.

Nature-based artist and entrepreneur, Catriona Pollard, develops tailored workshops in nature-based experiences including basketry and ephemeral art that can be about play and story telling, tapping into creativity using this ancient art form, problem solving, digital detox, or simply a fun hands on learning experience.

Learn more here, or get in touch if you would like to tailor a workshop with your work/friends/community/art group etc. Go to Contact us to chat about it.

UP COMING/CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

LITTLE THINGS ART PRIZE 2019 EXHIBITION
28 August – 8 September
Saint Cloche Gallery, Paddington

SOLO
9-23 November 2019
ME Studio, St Leonards

SELECTED PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS

See full CV here.

Fifth solo exhibition ‘Falling Into Longing’ offers stunning works of sculptural basketry and assemblage works that explore the concept of longing and how we move towards our desires and the impact that has on our lives.

When: 20 June to 14 July 2019
Meet The Artist: Saturday 22 June 2019 1 – 4pm
Times: Thursday – Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm and Sunday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Sydney Road Gallery, 563 Sydney Road Seaforth NSW 2092

The Other Art Fair
14-17 March 2019
Australian Technology Park, Sydney

Surfacing Solo Exhibition
27 September – 21 October 2018
Opening “Afternoon With The Artist”: 29 September 10-4
Sydney Road Gallery, Seaforth, Sydney

Catriona Pollard’s solo exhibition ‘Surfacing’ offers stunning works of sculptural basketry and assemblage works that explore the concept of layers of self and oneness by applying material and techniques to different surfaces. Catriona uses natural surroundings to inspire her and find that through the observation and interaction with nature she has developed works that allow colour, texture and organic form to surface. More information here.

Artisans In The Gardens
12 – 21 October 2018
Lions Gate Lodge
Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney

A celebration of the natural world, Artisans in the Gardens, now in its 18th year, brings together an extraordinary range of artwork. The exhibition showcases some of Australia’s best established and emerging artists and craftspeople with over 2,000 artworks including sculpture, ceramics, hand blown glass, jewellery, textiles, plus so much more.

Exhalation of the Trees
22 September – 2 December 2018
Mosman Gallery – InProfile Solo

As trees exhale, we inhale. The unseen air moves around surfaces. In between cracks. Ducks and dives. Over, under. Through the ethereal beauty and harmonised rawness of ‘Exhalation of the Trees’ I am asking the viewer to see; to notice. Transforming found organic material into sculptures creates moments for people to view the natural world around them in a different way.

I am of You – solo exhibition
‘I am of You’ is a call for us to fall in love again with the world around us and see that we are bound by nature to claim its place in our heart.
15 April- 3 June 2018
Sturt Craft and Design Centre

11:11 – The Sychronicity of Now
Solo exhibition – A sculptural representation of noticing the extraordinary in everyday moments.
26 October – 12 November 2017
Sydney Road Gallery 561 -563 Sydney Rd, Seaforth

FIRE
6 June – 1 July 2018
Exhibition opening Friday 8 June, 6-8pm

Featuring the work of 25 local and visiting artists, FIRE challenges the viewer to reflect on the diversity of symbolic and literal meanings of fire and flames – employing media from video and photography to painting; ceramic to fabric; found objects to exquisitely crafted ‘objects’.

Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize
16-24 June 2018
Opening night: 15 June 2018, 6 pm
Ravenswood, Gordon

Evolve
Group exhibition exploring the evolution of ideas and concepts as an artist. The processes undergo evolutionary change, often evolving from simple thoughts into paintings and sculptures.
7 September – 27 September 2017
Sydney Road Gallery 561 -563 Sydney Rd, Seaforth

Fluidity
Fluidity is body of work by artists Catriona Pollard and Karen Visser which applies a fluid perspective to nature and explores form and texture in two very different ways: sculpture using foraged natural materials and photography that paints nature with light.

Creative Space 105 Abbott Road, North Curl Curl
18-28 May 2017
Opening Drinks Saturday 20 May 4-6m

Woven in Winter – Sturt Australian Contemporary Craft and Design Centre
11 June – 23 July 2017
Cnr Range Road & Waverley Parade
Mittagong NSW 2575
Details here.

MEDIA

Must say that I personally find Catriona’s work both ethereal and eternal, as she explores her own connection with the natural world, releasing her emotions to craft and weave so effectively her ‘simple moments in time’. Carolyn McDowall

Her artwork attested to the variations and immense possibilities offered from shaping natural objects. The intersection of the ancient craft of weaving and modern imaginative sculpture was enigmatic and highly inventive. The texture and colour variations are symbolic references to the connection she makes between nature and humanity. Catriona Pollard’s work is was sinuous and imaginative. Rose Niland.

Catriona brings a fresh approach to an ancient technique. Thanks to a growing appreciation for all things niche, this artist’s organic creations are a must-have for those who appreciate design with a lot of heart. Annabelle Cloros