Books pleats.... getting lost in the pages

It's that time of year again the gorgeous team at Artisan are holding their Annual Artist Book Show again. I am there will bells on. I'm looking forward to taking part again, based on the range of work, quality of the submissions from last year I have my work cut out for me!

Lost in the Pages by Sai-Wai Foo

With my entry this year I decided to explore what I love about books. I like to develop ideas based on a theme or on a thought. This time I wanted to look at the immersive elements of reading, the simple joy of getting lost in the text and pages. Nothing nicer than losing yourself in great writing combine that with a cup of tea and I'm really a very happy girl!

Here's a few work In progress shots of the piece. It's titled "lost in the pages" and is a small scale paper and mixed media sculpture. A enamel painted doll's head is engulfed by pleated book pages, the book binding is super soft distressed leather that I have been using on & off for awhile. I love the aged patina & marks on the leather.

I currently have some other work at Artisan in the cabinets, so if you happen to be in the area duck by & have a look.

If you are on the hunt for a craft, art or fashion book this is a great store. The staff are really knowledgeable, friendly and will do their best to help you track out a hard to find book! The show runs from 14th September to the 12th October  and details below!

Love Miss Foo XXX

159 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy Victoria  3065
AUSTRALIA

Hours:

Mon-Fri: 10.00-17.30
Sat: 11.00-16.30  

the bay & porthole gallery

A couple of months ago I went on a little adventure on the water! The accompanying pictures are from this glorious day.

I took part in very inspiring session on the water with about 35 other artists. It was organized by the lovely folk at the "Mission to Seafarers" who do great work with all the sea farers that past through our bays. http://www.missiontoseafarers.com.au/

There was a grand plan to stay outdoors to paint/draw but the lure of a deck chair, lazing in the warm sun & eating crispy triple fried chips was far too much for me. It all proved utterly distracting but at least my vitamin D levels got a boost! The other plus side is I managed to lead friend astray who was supposed to be diligently working in her studio.

I've been obsessed with the docks and ship yards for a long time, I keep my old sketchbooks and it is funny how I keep coming back to particular ideas and themes.
I love the scale of the ships & the toy-like building block look of the shipping containers. 
Based on that jaunt on the water I'm working on an entry for the ANL Maritime art prize for later in the year. Fingers-crossed I am a finalist, I don't paint often but thought having a project with set date would be good for me! 

My involvement with the Mission doesn't end there, I have been invited to show at the new Porthole Gallery based in the docklands. A few of my pleated paper sculptures are going to be housed at the gallery as well as some smaller collage pieces over the coming weeks. 

The gallery officially opens the 20th of August and will house nautical theme artworks. 30% of the profits will go towards the Mission and all the wonderful work that they do. More on the gallery here & Facebook
 

Location

Maritime Port Hole Gallery
Harbour Town
428 Docklands Drive
Docklands Vic 3008

Contact details

Mobile: 0400 816 332
bill@missiontoseafarers.com.au
Facebook

Opening hours

* Open by appointment. The premises is be staffed by volunteers. It is open based on volunteer availability

 

Ladies night... meow

"A sailor stole my heart" as been packed up and a number of pieces are going to some good homes. Artifice store was great to work with & I have another different type of project teed up with them in July of this year. I ended up with an award from Art in Public Places, Hobsons Bay City Council one for "Best use of Space"

Receiving my award from AIPP

If you missed the show I have a few pieces that are going to be hosted at  Artisan Books & also at Quirk & Co over the next month. Follow the link for details!

Article about the show that appeared in paper

So what else have I been up to? Aside from working and teaching I've been working of a series of four portraits of iconic women for an upcoming show at at Artboy gallery on Greville street. I was pretty keen to take part as one on my favorite publications was going to be in attendance, crew from Curvy are going to be there on opening night.

Draw no dudes was the theme... "FanBoy vs ArtBoy: Ladies Night" at ArtBoy Gallery, should be a fun show as it is a pop culture base gallery and it is also an open call. 

Love these sort of shows especially with the fan-boy element - it's the first one I've taken part in but I have attended a few of these shows in the past and they are great even if you aren't really into art. But for me it is a chance to get my geek & my draw on!

I chose ladies of music as my starting point, of course being a child of the 80's I went for my four favorite, most iconic stylish ladies in pop culture and music. Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry & Grace Jones in iconic poses. Rather than just being a portrait I gave them a feline bent, meow! I re-imagined them as domestic cats each in their own distinctive outfits. Borderline crazy cat lady, to be honest probably truly crazy cat lady.

Below are the pieces before framing and yes that is a glitter background you spy!

Opening night is the 24th of May 6-8pm & see below for details!

Pop by & visit!
love Miss Foo xxx

Left top "Love is a stranger" Annie Lennox, Right top "girls just wanna have fun"Cyndi Lauper 

Left bottom "Heart of glass" Debbie Harry & Right bottom "I'm not perfect" Grace Jones

 

Artboy Gallery

99 Greville St Prahran

3181 Victoria

03 9939 8993

mon-fri 10-6

sat 10-5

sun 11-4