Open Studios 2025
The most concept based body of work I've ever made.
I knew it would be ambitious to sign up for Margaret River Open Studios as a new mother, and I surrendered to the idea that maybe nothing will be made in time. It inspired me to create - and with my new mother role, I had to step away from the letterpress machines and find a new process. For the first time ever, I had to be organised, make all the things well ahead of time, no more last minute madness. I was able to share the process over the months leading up, in my instagram highlights.
The neeeed to make these almost drove me crazy but also gave me so much space, and processing, and presence.
All the little minutes I could gather, sewing embossed mirrors like a dance mum into the night. Silently stitching, listening out for my baby. Busy hands to while away the time spent on car journeys and sitting in the driveway nap trapped.
Petals we picked together, shells we discovered at the beach together, brought home in my sandy pocket. They were hung on our washing line alongside tiny socks, washed in the laundry sink, sleep songs sung over them, the cyanotype printing process new to me but easier to do in small moments, it fits perfectly poetically with my new mum life.
Many hours of musing over the role of the Mother - in the mending, the moments, the softness as I made the art. Moments of reclaiming identity, in the rush of creativity flowing when it's given a space to bloom, in the moments the sun burnt images into linen. And then, at the final stage where these pieces were to be framed, hung and priced - many moments of musing over the role of the stay at home mother, the housewife role, the work - how to price, and value The Work - when it looks like housework - they hung on the washing line, the embroidery looked like mending, they spent time in the car, in the park, washed in the laundry sink sometimes with a baby on my hip - and made in a messy home office room away from my beautiful letterpress studio.
I am grateful for these arts, and all they hold. They capture a moment, rare offerings from a new mother.
