Jane Polkinghorne and Sarah Newall are partners in life but not in art. From 2013-2016 they co-directed artist-space Marrickville Garage.
Sarah Newall has worked over the past few years to make her practice and life sustainable and works towards zero-waste principles. She considers herself a maker and through fine-tuning her craft skills is working towards wearing clothes, shoes and accessories she has made herself using donated or second-hand materials wherever possible.
Sarah Newall has worked over the past few years to make her practice and life sustainable and works towards zero-waste principles. She considers herself a maker and through fine-tuning her craft skills is working towards wearing clothes, shoes and accessories she has made herself using donated or second-hand materials wherever possible.
 |
| Sarah Newall at Gunyah |
Jane Polkinghorne’s practice often uses humour to reflect on gender representation and contemporary Australian culture. She primarily uses herself in video and photographic to avoid humiliating other people and also because she thinks she’s a superstar. Jane is currently attempting to shift the focus of her practice to reflect her ‘natural’ interests – walking, swimming in the bush and the ocean.
After two ½ years fostering a teenage boy we were very excited to get an extended break from the trails and tribulations (and occasional reward!) of caring through a stay at Gunyah artists-in-residence program.
We arrived at Gunyah on wet and wild Monday afternoon. This suited us perfectly and we bunkered down in the window seat overlooking the trees and for the first week, barely moving from the house.
 |
| Sarah Newall at Gunyah |
Sarah pulled her crafty materials out and distributed them all over the living room, focussing particularly on creating a nest-like structure on the couch. Sitting in her nest Sarah spent much of the time crocheting, pulling it apart and re-crocheting. The occasions she moved were spent gathering new stock at the local op shops in Tea Gardens and the Nelson Bay area, which proved to be hold quite a bonanza when it comes to yarn.
 |
| Sarah Newall at Gunyah |
Through the first wet week Jane wandered the bush land around North Cove Arm, experiencing the gorgeous forest, bird life and mosquitoes. Once the wind stopped rushing in from either the north-east or the south Jane spent considerable time in the ocean and bush around Hawkes Nest.
 |
| Jane Polkinghorne's whirlpool in the trees |
Jane Polkinghorne & Sarah Newall
janepolkinghorne.com sarahjnewall.com
