Heather McConnell's exhibition explores the narratives and memories held quietly in the detritus and relics of lives lived or those gone before, treasured and held or discarded and found, every object here holds a story.
EXHIBITION STATEMENT
A past remembered with reverence or forgotten with no regard. The flotsam and jetsam of nature, family and the unknown traveller are intricately woven together to create a new narrative whilst honouring the past. Playful, joyful, and at times melancholic, the works evoke and reconstruct memory.
Provenance evolves, with a beginning, a journey and a blossomy end in this celebration debut exhibition of Kingston assemblage artist, Heather McConnell.
About the Artist
Heather McConnell (she/her) is a self-taught assemblage artist from Naarm (Melbourne), Australia, with a background in theatre performance and a deep respect and attachment to the “stuff left behind” after a life's chapter closes. Her art practice has evolved through participation in The City of Kingston annual Artz Blitz competition of which in 2023 she was awarded 1st prize in the 3D adult category.
A pastiche of lived experiences as shadows and echoes exist quietly throughout all her works. Inspired by the lives of her personal heritage and an innate compulsion to resourcefulness her work has evolved through the story of things.
Materials include; wire, feathers, stone, wood, jewellery, toys, bed springs, and recycled “stuff”.
The Gathering is her debut exhibition of a collection of new works created as a development of her art practice with assistance from Kingston Arts Centre through the Individual Artist Grant Funding 2023.
WORKSHOP AND ARTIST TALK
The Gathering, Artist Talk and Assemblage Art Community Workshop will take place on Saturday 15 June, 2pm- 4pm.
To coincide with The Gathering exhibition, join Heather at Kingston Arts Centre for an artist talk where she will discuss her art process and some of the embedded stories within the works of this exhibition. A free assemblage art workshop will follow for registered participants.
Participants are encouraged to bring a small personal relic. There will be the opportunity to share the stories of these objects and to create a small individual assemblage artwork to be included in a larger community piece within the exhibition. At the end of the exhibition period these small works are available for all participants to take home.
Register here to attend the workshop and artist talk.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING
A small personal object/relic, no larger than 4 cm x 7 cm (approximately).
All other materials and tools provided.
Registrations opening soon.