{studio archive}: I get by with a little help...

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I get by with a little help...

... from my friends and family that is!

Really need to make a comment here at my studio blog about the sensational layers of support I've received of late to make the past weekend's big event at my home studio such a memorable and successful occasion. I just wrote up about the weekend over at my main blog ... but there is so much more that could be said.

Ever supportive family members... Russell and Olivia early sunday morning before visitors!

When I gave a talk on Sunday afternoon I was pleased to focus on this element of the artist's life. All the solo hours have to give way to moments of community and very often there is pressure ... various preparations ... that require calling on others for a hand, ideas, aid with promotion ... ultimately this means one cannot be a solo traveller and dismiss all important community connections.

I've been completely overwhelmed with fine support of late... and I wish to make some more fitting gesture of thanks than this mere mention here. So... to be updated soon!

3 comments:

CaroleSeptember 6, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Family support is something to really be appreciated. Yay for families who support the artists of this world!
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Mary ZeranSeptember 7, 2011 at 2:50 AM
Well done Family! Wish I could have been there to see the event.
xo
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Sophie MunnsSeptember 7, 2011 at 11:48 PM
Hello my lovely visitors!
Just found your wonderful messages here!
Yes... a toast to family and to friends and to various ones in community near and far who also gave support!
And to you... who also find time and heart to cheers one on!
XX
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NAVIGATING WEBLINKS:

COLLECTIONS AND COMMISSIONS:

Public Collections:

. Newcastle Community Art Centre

. Maitland Regional Gallery

. John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle

. R.S.L.CARE Fortitude Valley, QLD

. Victoria University Library Collection

. Victoria University Alumni collection

. QEII Hospital, Brisbane

. KEW Gardens Millennium Seedbank, UK

. Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ, QLD

. Cairns Botanic Gardens -Tanks Artist's Residence

Private Collections from 1990 onwards in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, NZ, UK and the U.S.

Commercial commissions to produce Textile designs for Domestic Textile Corporation, Melbourne from early 1997 through to 1999.

Private Commissioned work since 1992 in Australia.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Sophie Munns is currently living in Brisbane, QLD, Australia having relocated from Newcastle, NSW in May 2008, her base for 8 years.

Born in Grafton, Northern NSW, Sophie studied for a B ED (Art) in Newcastle before teaching in various secondary schools on the NSW coast for the following 6 years. A 2 year stint working in London and travelling abroad was the catalyst for Sophie to consider taking her passion for Art further on her return to live in Melbourne.

Comfortably ensconced in leafy Kew, (Melb) Sophie set up a studio from home, 2 years later starting a small design business and within 2 years of that opening a shopfront studio in Collingwood - 'Themata Studio' - effectively an artist-run-space operating as a multi-purpose facility providing classes and workshops for adults, works by commission and a lively cross-roads for conversation and exchange between diverse participants and visitors to the space.

4 years later freelance work and commissioned work was continuing although the shopfront venture closed in 1998 and in 2000 Sophie returned to study painting at Victoria University.

This plan was short-lived when, 4 months into studies, a housefire necessitated changes and relocation to Newcastle ensued. A studio from home was once again established, classes for adults offered, artwork picked up and gradually shifted its focus. Sophie returned to teaching in secondary schools virtually full time, exhibiting work quite frequently, entering art awards and by 2005 showing work in Sydney as well as the Hunter.

After a prize and commendations in the annual Maitland Art Award in 2006 Post Grad study was commenced the following year with a large mid year exhibition of work from 2 solid years painting in the University's student gallery. Unexpected changes, once again, occured at the close of that year due to complications of a medical nature. Uni was left behind and Sophie made the shift to Brisbane and family ties.

Sophie's art practice has continued to evolve and deepen over the past 2 decades through embracing significant changes and challenges with courage and enthusiasm, curiosity and perseverence.

Energy may flag at times and life can interfere with plans but for Sophie there is something perrenially life-giving about continuing to produce artworks and explore ideas. That the unexpected can and does happen is a lesson well learnt...but perhaps the greater lesson is in finding the poetic, the transcendant in all that comes along. And that is worth striving for Sophie believes...always!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I get by with a little help...

3 comments:

About Me