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| Kathryn Cowen and Natalya Shinn at Gunyah |
It is with thanks and gratitude that I reflect on my time at Gunyah. What an unexpected gift it was to step away from the craziness of 2020 life to spend a couple of weeks immersed in my practice at such a special place.
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| Exploring North Arm Cove near Gunyah |
After a few long walks to soak in the surrounding bush and beaches, breathing deeply and fossicking for treasures, I settled into the studio to start drawing and constructing small sculptures. It was a time of play and experimentation interspersed with long chats with my dear friend and fellow artist Natalya Shinn who came along to keep me company.
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| Fossicking for treasures at a beach nearby |
Combining natural materials that I found in the local area such as rocks, driftwood, seed pods, shells and twigs, with synthetic materials that I had brought along with me such as string, feathers, fabric, paint, plastic, beads and polymer clay; I pondered the future of biological forms. A collection of specimens emerged.
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| Kathryn Cowen, Work in progress - Biofuture Specimens, 2020 |
The world and how we live in it has changed this year. I am curious as to how our relationship with each other and our environment will adapt as a result. I can only hope it is for the better.
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| Kathryn Cowen, Work in progress - Biofuture Specimens, under UV light, 2020 |
Thank you to Kath Fries and the Gunyah Collective for the opportunity to take part in this residency. My cup is full and I am excited to be back in my studio exploring the possibilities generated by the Biofuture Specimens made at Gunyah for an exhibition in 2021.
Kathryn Cowen
October 2020
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| Kathryn Cowen, Work in progress - Biofuture Specimens, under UV light (detail), 2020 |
