Artist in Residence (AIR) Program

BODALLA is inspired by the spotted gum forests on the NSW South Coast evoking a sense of tranquility and serenity. Fashion designer and artist Carly Rowston’s unique and organic approach to dyeing, printing and stitching incorporates the use of natural elements in all processes. Silk was hand dyed using nettles. Printing stamps were made with string, fresh gum leaves and bubble wrap. Embroidery incorporates a mix of feather, stem and running stitch which creates light, depth and movement. The vertical ‘floating’ organza provides a fluidity and freedom to the work, reminiscent of falling leaves.

Carly Rowston

Artist in Residence

August + September + October 2016

Triptych 246 cm x 76 cm

Denim, linen, cotton, silk

CRADLE is a site specific sculpture that explores the notion of a nest.  Nests hold association of care and protection, and of bringing together specially selected elements to create a safe environment. The surrounding built walled space creates an enclosure that the artwork then extends. The predominantly red artwork is constructed from recycled timber in an interconnected mass that is visually chaotic yet structurally interwoven. An expressive sculptural figure (in red) is draped around, the forefront of the work, interconnecting and supporting the cradle.

NOVMEBER 2017

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

ELYSSA SYKES -SMITH

RECYCLCED TIMBER, PAINT, SCREWS

HOLDING SPACE is a series of works that explores a conversation between textile artists Mary Burgess and Emma Peters through texture, colour and pattern. Using textile techniques such as natural dye, felt making, slow stitching, and weaving, Burgess + Peters aim to create a series of works that are inspired by expressions such as ‘holding on’, ‘holding it together’, ‘holding each other’,  ‘holding onto hope’. The artists collaborated between their respective studios  in Melbourne and Sydney, working on individual pieces that they rotated . “We hope the works offer a gentle, comforting and supportive ambience for the Emergency Department where vulnerable moments in life are shared between families, patients and staff.”

SEPTEMBER 2017

EMMA PETERS + MARY BURGESS

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM

TEXTILES, DYE, WEAVNG, FELTING,  STITCHING

8 FRAMES 30 X 30

IDENTITY explores portraiture, a traditional art form projected in a more contemporary method. Individuals were photographed throughout the hospital and those images were then superimposed over landscapes to create a sense of belonging, or location. Participants include patients, carers, families, doctors, nurses, executive staff, engineering staff, café staff, volunteers and Arterie members who were present during December 2016, reflecting a true cross section of the RPA community at that moment in time.

DECEMBER 2016

HUGH COOMBS

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY ON ALUMINIUM X 100

LANGUAGE is a site specific collaboration between National Art School graduates Annabel Mason + Penelope McKeown. Their organic work grows from a mutual interest in the intuitive method of working with line as a language to communicate in a playful manner.  Participants were invited to create mini assemblages using painted sticks and twine that were connected with soft material. “The process of joining through wrapping is both rhythmical and meditative. Our art forms start with a point from which the line evolves, much like a conversation starts with a single word. Connections with people involve line - real or non tangible - like a hand shake or eye contact.”

Annabel Mason + Penelope McKeown

Artist in Residence

April 2016

5 m x 2 m

Fabric, Timber, Sponge, Paint

This mobile artwork delivers eight dioramas of enchanting mini worlds that can be explored from opposing sides, thus providing a different view of the same thing. Playing with scale and perspective, the assemblages’ incorporate model making, painting, felting, up- cycling, sewing, re-assembling, crocheting, found objects, drawing, , knitting, and toy making.

“When everyday objects are shrunk, we find ourselves to be the giant in a tiny world. Hidden in each story is a small gold medal waiting to be found.”

MAY 2017

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

JOANNA MORRISON

ASSEMBLAGES X 8

PROFILE is a site-specific work that explored RPA community ‘traffic’ in the centre of the Level 5 Foyer. Former architect and artist Ro Murray combines her past and presents skills in materials, building and draughtsmanship. This ephemeral work uses a contour drawing technique representative of an individual thumbprint. The interactive performance between artist and participant provided opportunity to engage and converse. Ro outlined a true to human scale outline of the participant on paper and then transferred to the balustrade. The outline was filled with internal contour lines in a palette of grey white and orange. The addition of the postcode provides the only information about the individual, but collectively they provide the viewer with a sense of the RPA community at large.

Ro Murray,

Artist in Residence

August + September 2016

Paper, markers, glass

PSITHURISM was created in collaboration with the patients and visitors at RPA, is named for the sound of wind through trees and the rustling of leaves.  Each piece was hand cut, carved and shaped as a reminder of the beauty of the individual. The installation aims to recall cascading leaves, and is a calm reminder of the constant coming and going of life, the throes of joy and sorrow both repeatedly acted out in one space. The work aims to provide a meditative pause in the relentless activity of hospital life

FEBRUARY 2017

HANNAH TOOHEY

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM

POLYMER CLAY

Ribbon of Life is a site specific 40 meter hand painted mural that explores teamwork through different coloured flowers. Swedish artist Joanna Morrison sees the endearing flower symbol as one that ‘speaks’ to all cultures. Flowers invoke memories and invite nature inside. The generic flower is deliberate, as are the groups of colours that interact with each other as small teams. “I see health and healing as a big job and more often than not, it is about teamwork – patients, carers, staff and visitors. The engagement of everyone involved is of utmost importance, be that directly or indirectly. I would like to invite you to take a photo of yourself and your ‘team’ in front of the choir of flowers, and may it give you a joyful memory.”

Joanna Morrison

Artist in Residence

May + June 2016

1.47 m x 40 m - 81 flowers

Acyrlic paint on plaster board

Paints generously donated by Porters Paints

TOUCH is a charcoal on paper drawing by Sydney artist Ro Geddes. It explores the power of physical contact in the context of a hospital. A simple touch can convey the complex emotions of empathy, sympathy, understanding, trust and love. The work highlights the community of care found at RPA Hospital through a delicate comforting embrace between the hands of a patient and a care-giver. During his residency, Ro encouraged all members of the community to observe his practice and draw their own artworks alongside him. ''I find the practice of drawing very therapeutic and relaxing, so I wanted to offer a similar outlet to patients, doctors, nurses and loved ones visiting the hospital''

JULY 2017

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

CHARCOAL DRAWING ON PAPER

3.6 X 2 M

Woman is inspired by an image of Venus, the goddess of love, beauty and prosperity painted by Sandro Botticelli in 1490. Architect and artist Margaret McKenna explores the essence of joy, pain, weariness and euphoria in what it is to be a Woman. The work incorporates 200 female names provided by patients, carers and staff members during her residency located in the RPA Womens and Babies Unit. Margaret supervised a group of ‘stitching supporters’ who volunteered to complete this community project with her.

Margaret McKenna

Artist in Residence

August + September 2016

6 m x 1.2m - cotton, wool, embroidery thread, buttons

Arterie@RPA thanks the NSW Embroiderers’ Guild for threads and stitching support

Digby Webster is the March 2018 Artist in Residence. Digby is a Sydney based visual artist. He is currently a member of Front Up, a disability led Arts and Cultural program initiated by Ability Options, resulting in several of his works being exhibited at Barangaroo as part of the 'I Am Still Here' emerging artists exhibition, as displayed here. Digby approaches art making as a part of his everyday life. He works in the mediums of oil pastels and acrylics. His work reflects strong evocative colours together with an expressive visual language of his own. He has exhibited in solo shows and group shows including Tin Sheds Gallery, Riverside Theatre Parramatta, DNA projects Chippendale 'Two Sydney Painters' with Marc Etheridge and at the Opera House as part of Accessible Arts’ AART.BOXX 2007.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

DIGBY WEBSTER

BARANGAROO – FRONTUP EMERGING ARTISTS, 2016

ACRYLIC PAINT ON CNAVAS

2,970 x 5,500