Artist Profile
Where I live on Victoria's Surfcoast inspires me daily; the butcher birds dawn duet, coming across a delicate native orchid or the dropping off, to my doorstep by a neighbour, some freshly cut plant fibres for basketweaving.
Connecting to place; the impact of the changing weather patterns, learning the bird calls and all the interactions that take place between plants animals and birds throughout the year, all gradually contribute to an awareness of our environment. The knowledge of or where to find a particular bird to study for an artpiece or where and when to harvest plants for weaving, I find fascinating and is something I'm equally keen to share with people when they attend my workshops.
“It’s very satisfying in that I feel a part of my environment as I search for suitable weaving plants.”
Originally trained at Ravensbourne Art College, London in 3D design, she has been working in arts and crafts for the past 25 years, creating art work, holding workshops and working as a community artist. A Diploma in Sustainability has further informed the integration of sustainability practices within her art, not only in materials and methods chosen, but in developing themes such as awareness raising of endangered species. Development opportunities have included learning from indigenous basketweavers and several overseas trips to learn basketry techniques from other cultures. Often to discover there are many similarities in methods, but using materials which relate to the local environment.
“The more I learn about the techniques of weaving, the more I feel connected to the depth of knowledge and an ancient culture in a hands on way.”
Caroline is equally at home whilst teaching and supporting others with their creative endeavours as with making her own artwork. She has a wealth of experience in working with new migrants to Australia, sometimes without English, in maintaining traditional cultural craft practices.
“Cultural crafts often form an important part of people's identity, it supports their wellbeing when they are able to create and share with others.”
Caroline exhibits her art and holds weaving workshops regularly and welcomes your enquiries for commissions
Studio tour
Connecting to place; the impact of the changing weather patterns, learning the bird calls and all the interactions that take place between plants animals and birds throughout the year, all gradually contribute to an awareness of our environment. The knowledge of or where to find a particular bird to study for an artpiece or where and when to harvest plants for weaving, I find fascinating and is something I'm equally keen to share with people when they attend my workshops.
“It’s very satisfying in that I feel a part of my environment as I search for suitable weaving plants.”
Originally trained at Ravensbourne Art College, London in 3D design, she has been working in arts and crafts for the past 25 years, creating art work, holding workshops and working as a community artist. A Diploma in Sustainability has further informed the integration of sustainability practices within her art, not only in materials and methods chosen, but in developing themes such as awareness raising of endangered species. Development opportunities have included learning from indigenous basketweavers and several overseas trips to learn basketry techniques from other cultures. Often to discover there are many similarities in methods, but using materials which relate to the local environment.
“The more I learn about the techniques of weaving, the more I feel connected to the depth of knowledge and an ancient culture in a hands on way.”
Caroline is equally at home whilst teaching and supporting others with their creative endeavours as with making her own artwork. She has a wealth of experience in working with new migrants to Australia, sometimes without English, in maintaining traditional cultural craft practices.
“Cultural crafts often form an important part of people's identity, it supports their wellbeing when they are able to create and share with others.”
Caroline exhibits her art and holds weaving workshops regularly and welcomes your enquiries for commissions
Studio tour
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Ma Nge, Hee gay and Thabi Tha, new migrants to Australia at Diversitat, migrant settlement agency, Geelong
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Acknowledgements:
Joy Beeby for introducing me to basket weaving and for her tuition and encouragment along the way.
Basket Makers Victoria for their invaluable knowledge of plant materials as basketry fibres.
Bryant Holsenbeck, Fibre and wire artist from California
Bronwyn Razem, Indigenous master weaver for teaching me how to make bush toys and indigenous basket weaving.
Affiliations:
Member of Basket Weavers of Victoria
Treasurer of Geelong Sculptors Inc
Joy Beeby for introducing me to basket weaving and for her tuition and encouragment along the way.
Basket Makers Victoria for their invaluable knowledge of plant materials as basketry fibres.
Bryant Holsenbeck, Fibre and wire artist from California
Bronwyn Razem, Indigenous master weaver for teaching me how to make bush toys and indigenous basket weaving.
Affiliations:
Member of Basket Weavers of Victoria
Treasurer of Geelong Sculptors Inc