Art Gallery of NSW: Archibald Prize and others

Yesterday, I visited the Art Gallery of NSW, to view the Archibald Prize.

I always enjoy this exhibition as you don't have to be an experienced art connoisseur or a psychoanalyst to get what is going on in the painting.

Please note the next three photographs are from the Archibald Prize website. You can view all of the finalists on this website.


The first one, is actually my favourite. By Yi Wang, "Bishop Elliott and Lady Jacqueline".

I guess I liked the story behind it. Wang had first envisaged painting the Bishop in a very formal position, but he wasn't getting the right feel for it. Then when they had lunch together, they were relaxed, and he got to see the Bishop's humorous and witty side, as well as his pet cat, Lady Jacqueline. Ok, so I do have a soft spot for cat's as well, but I think it is interesting to see the other world- the private world- in which the Bishop lives.



The second artwork: By Nafisa, "Glenn in black & white". This is the Winner of the Packing Room Prize. This is quite a big artwork, and once you see it in real life, you get to see all of the detail involved. Worthwhile to go and have a look if you get the chance.



Third artwork: By Sam Leach, "Tim Minchin". This is the Winner of the Archibald Prize. This is quite a small artwork, especially compared to all the others, but the detail is so tiny, that it really is a beautiful piece. It is painted on wood, and then has had resin applied, so when you look at it at first glance, it almost looks like it is made from a tile. I had never really seen this until yesterday, but then I realsied that there were quite a few artists that had used this technique. (shows you how often I get to visit the art galleries!)

The next few photos below, are photos which I have taken...

This next piece is quite amazing... "The Mild-Eyed Melancholy of the Lotus Eaters III 2009-10" by Raqib Shaw.




I LOVE the colours, the detail, the craziness of the whole thing! The photo above and below is just some of the detail of the whole artwork. The colours were intense, and diamantes were added to make it sparkle! It is placed in the foyer of the gallery. These colours and intensity will help to inspire me for my spring/summer collection!




It was such perfect weather in Sydney yesterday! Not a cloud in the sky. I still wore one of favourite winter outfits though- my Penelope Red Tailored Winter Dress, my new boots, and my new hat. I love winter fashion- it is always so glamorous!


I am looking forward to some of the coming exhibitions that will be at Art Gallery of NSW: Victorian Visions, Paths to Abstraction, etc.

Be sure to visit the gallery before the Archibald is leaves on the 30th May 2010.

Artist: Lindsey Carr

"Struggle", acrylic on wood by Lindsey Carr

Somehow I stumbled across this amazing artist's website, today. The artist is Lindsey Carr, and I wanted to share her artworks with you, as they are simply stunning!

Lindsey is based in Scotland, and uses the flora and fauna to inspire her works.



"The Fox Confessor" Acrylic and oils on wood, by Lindsey Carr.

I love the intricate detailing, and busy nature of each artwork. So many colours, and many things happening in each.

Contact Lindsey : lindsey@littlerobot.org.uk

Follow me on twitter or facebook for more updates of my latest designs and finds!

Silk Ikats of Central Asia: Art Gallery of NSW

Yesterday I visited the Art Gallery of NSW to view their latest exhibition, Silk Ikats of Central Asia.




While it was a small exhibit, the displayed items were extremely beautiful, and very inspiring for my work!



The embroideries, colours, detail, patterns, prints, and textures were just simply stunning, and it truly is amazing how much work is involved in each piece. It is astounding that each and every piece was created by hand, and it really inspires me to want to create more hand worked pieces.

I would recommend this exhibit to anyone who is interested in or enjoys needlework/craft, printing, fashion, costume, cultural and historical backgrounds.

After viewing the works at the gallery, I returned home full of inspiration for my latest Penelope Red designs! I am hoping to base my latest designs and next photo shoot on these costumes, colours, bold embroideries, and exotic jewellery. It will be quite exciting to see it all together, and I can't wait to show you!

Please note, not all images displayed in this post are from the gallery exhibition. Some of the images I found on the net.

The shape of the Penelope Red Hooded Coat is perfect to reflect the robes, the mini skirts I have made so far reflect the bold colours, and the textured embroideries.

How-To Frame Your Photos Uniquely Part II

As promised in part 1, these are the steps for the wedding "artworks":

1: Collect all the materials you will need (clean chopping board, metal ruler, long plastic ruler, pencil, blade, your papers). I used frames from Ikea for this project. The Ribba series is recommended.

2. You need to first decide on what papers you will use. I used the rust/red colour, and the gold, because I wanted to place these framed photos in our bedroom, and the colour scheme happens to be Rust/red, gold, white and black. I deliberately used a photo that was smaller than the mount size, so I can have a large double mount of gold. I bought my papers from Pepe's Paperie.

3.Measure the photo. Minus approx 1cm from the width, and 1cm from the height, then halve each of these measurements. Square up on the back of your A4 piece of board (I used the gold cardboard for this), these measurements (starting from the outside). Check to make sure your photo sits approx 5mm outside of each of these lines.

4.Using your metal ruler, blade, and clean chopping board, cut along the line, to create a window for the photo to sit in.

5.Use sticky tape to tape the photo face-down to the back of the window mount. Sticky tape is best, as it allows you to undo it, and reapply if necessary.

6.Check to make sure the photo is sitting square to the mount.


7. Using the mount, draw the dimensions of the window size for the large mount, onto your piece of paper. (In my example, this is the rust coloured paper)

8. Cut this paper out, and cut out the window.

9.I decided that the mount looked best, with a highlight of black. The best way to do this is get a wide pen, and very carefully mark along the diagonal edge. (see photo)


10. Glue your pretty paper, to the large window mount. Then tape the small window mount, face-down to the large window mount. Check that it has been lined up square.


11. I decided to decorate the corners with a little gold detailing, but this is entirely optional.

12. Assemble the frame as normal, and hang it proudly!

How-To Frame Your Photos Uniquely

Ever wanted to frame a beautiful photo, but you can't find the perfect frame? Or have you found the perfect frame, but it has made the project un-affordable?





Well, if you are a creative, like myself, then maybe I have a solution......

First, you will need a standard frame with a mount. Ikea has a great selection. I particularly like the Ribba series.

Next, you will need your photos. Decide on sizes.

Then you need to decide on paper choices. This will depend largely on what other colours are in the room (you are planning to hang the frame in), as well as what colours are in the photos. A great paper shop in Sydney, is Pepe's Paperie.

I have created 2 kinds of Framed "artworks", with details shown below....

The steps for the "passport" option:
1.Collect all materials that you will use to display the artwork. I have recently applied for a new passport, so I am going to use my old hard-earned stamps for this project!

2.Using the mount, draw the dimensions of the window size for the artwork, onto a piece of paper.

3.Arrange the passport pages around the hand-drawn window, so it will be virtually covered.

4.Arrange your photos, then place the mount on top, to make sure you haven't gone over the edges.

5.I had a few empty spaces, so I placed a lovely printed paper behind the passport pages. Start to glue these onto the large piece of paper.

6.Glue the passport pages, then the photos, taking care to make sure they do not overlap each other, or the mount.

7.I decided that the mount looked best, with a highlight of black. The best way to do this is get a wide pen, and very carefully mark along the diagonal edge. (see photo)


8.Once this is done, you can assemble the frame as you normally would.


9.Hang your artwork in a place where you are proud to show it!



I will provide instructions for the wedding artwork in another blog post!

I hope this has helped to get your creative mind thinking!