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

 

Markit & sculptures hanging out at Quirk & Co

Pleatybunny by Miss FOO stall at Markit

I've had couple of busy weeks preparing for Markit at Fed Square, but if you didn't get a chance to get down there my regular stockists will have a selection of new stock time for all your Christmas shopping. With all that organsied I am looking forward to getting back to making some new works. 

As with the last Markit it was really well run by the organisers & as always it was a lovely crowd. Here's some pics from the day on my Facebook page. I had great company on the day with Peaches + Keen, My Mother Mabel , Betty Jo, and Gleaners Inc being very fun stall neighbours!

Also I have a couple of paper sculptures installed at one of my favorite stores Quirk & Co. in North Melbourne.

Paper sculptures by Sai-Wai Foo instore at Quirk & co.

One of them is the sister piece to my Yering Station sculpture show piece which will be in show until the 2nd of December at Yering station then will be off to the its' new home in the Bayside City Council's art collection. I am pretty excited that a piece is now part of a public collection!

See my previous blog post here about the Yering station show & there are pictures of the opening of the show on my facebook page 

"ships and sealing wax. of cabbages and kings" by Sai-Wai Foo

There are 3 pieces which have been shown at the Toyota gallery & the other piece has not been shown publicly until now.... up till now it has been residing on my dining table! It is titled "Rime of the seasick mariner", a bit of my homage to my love of nautical fiction & my penchant for feeding the fishes when I'm a sea. 

"Rime of the seasick mariner" By Sai-Wai Foo

Pop by and have a look. Quirk & Co. also stock my illustration work and has a great range of designer wares & goodies in store. It's a briliant place to pick up pressies. I've had a look at the new stock they have in for x'mas definitely worth a visit!! Besides I am also dropping of some new stock to all my retailers over the next week so get shopping!

Love Miss Foo XXX

Quirk & Co. 

466 Victoria Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051

(03) 9329 7057

info@quirkandco.com.au
quirkandco.com.au

Opening hours

Monday: 11am - 6pm
Tuesday: 11am - 6pm
Wednesday: 11am - 6pm
Thursday: 11am - 6pm
Friday: 11am - 6pm
Saturday: 11am - 5pm
Sunday: noon - 4pm