There's a bear in there....

Two weeks into to the new year and 2013 is going to be an exciting year for me creatively! 
I've already go a few projects on the go, work in a couple of groups shows and 2 solo shows in March and April. Squeeze a trip to India & Nepal in there too and I think this first four months year is going to be action packed!!

As you may know from my toy to the world blog post I've been working on decorating a 15 inch vinyl bear as part of an exhibition/silent auction fundraiser for the Victorian Aids council - with funds going towards HIV education and research

Anywhoo here are some work in progress pic of my bear. He's titled "Sacre Bear" & he is glittered, bejewelled and generally quite fabulous. He is on display throughout the Midsumma festival 

It  opens tonight Tuesday the 15th of January and runs until the 4th of February. 

Spring street convention centre 

enter via Flinders lane 

1 Spring Street Melbourne 

Opening Tuesday 15th January 6pm - 9pm

 

"Sacre Bear" by Sai-Wai Foo

Love Miss FOO xxx

Show at Chapman and Bailey

I'm taking part in another show, this time all entrants are given a 35 x 35 cm stretched Bell Arti canvas as the starting point of  their artwork. I can't wait to see what the other entries look like, it will be interesting to the different approaches and mediums used. 

"above the clouds" By Sai-Wai Foo

I managed to snaffle a lovely natural linen canvas as the base for my piece. Here's  a sneak peak of my piece. I have to admit I had a blank canvas for months in my work space just lurking & glowering at me. Typically it came together quite quickly once the deadline was looming - after all the paper folding. I think the process of cutting and folding a paper helps me think through ideas and I find the whole process to be very relaxing and a bit a meditative state.
My piece above is a small flock of cut paper birds circling above a mass of pleated paper clouds. It's titled "above the clouds" and below are images of the work in progress - the canvas was blank for quite a long time....

2012 Belle Arti Prize hosted by Chapman and Bailey

12 December – 26 January at 
Chapman & Bailey Gallery, 350 Johnston St, Abbotsford  
Opening on Wednesday December 12, 2012 between 6-8pm
Facebook event page here

Love Miss Foo XXX

The weekend that was... markets as far as the eye can see

To be honest it seems like everywhere you turn there is a pop up store or market happening! I managed to make it to two of these events that ran over the weekend. One was  The Design Files  Open House which ran for 4 days in a private residence on Eastbourne Street in Windsor. 

The other was  Peoples Market in Collingwood, which could be summed up as shipping containers, hipsters as far as the eye can see! Food, drink, music, flea market & crafty finds. 

64 – 68  Stanley street, Collingwood, VIC 3066. Those in the rag trade would know the Max New warehouse on Stanley street it's next to that! It's operating from Thursday to Sunday through summer & is basically open from breakkie through to dinner. December 1 to April 28 2013.

I used to work in Collingwood in the about 15 years ago so it to see the changes in the buildings & the street scape. In terms of retail it is exciting that there are these events being put on & interesting use of space. Spaces that have been idle that have been re-purposed. So it must be asked it is all getting to be too much the same? How is this affecting bricks & mortar retail spaces? Also what's going to be next?

Needless to say I think it is giving retail a shake up and giving consumers more variety. I do think mass market retailers need to give their customers more credit as they are savvy. Certainly the sameness & cookie cutter mass produced has made shopping just a bit dull in stores of late. Even with the economic climate it seems that if something is special enough there will be some one who wants it & will spend the money on it. 

There is also another market being run by the same organisers of Markit at FedSquare called The Big Design Market coming up. I'm not taking part but will definitely be going along to check out the goodies on offer - some buddies have stalls there. Will be nice to go as a shopper as will actually get to see the market. The Big Design Market runs 7/8/9 of December at the Royal Exhibition Building Carlton.  Facebook event page here 

I would encourage everyone to try to buy local and handmade this festive season if not the present maybe the card, wrapping or an element of the gift. There is some amazing talent & crafts people locally so get out there & shop!! 
 
Love Miss FOO XXX

World Aids day & Toy to the world!! Beware the bear!!

Today is world AIDS day & I thought it would be timely to mention a project I am involved in.

I am decorating a 15-inch vinyl bear! YAY! Which is part of  a campaign named  "Toy to the World".

My blank bear has been sitting by the telly all white and naked in its vinyl glory. I am working through some ideas on how to decorate this little darling I think it will involve glitter, sequins & pleated paper...

my currently very naked bear...

There was an artist day on 17th of November at Section 8 where artist were doing live workshops & painting demos. Was I a bit miffed I will not be able to be there for that one :( but after all a large family event is taking place that day to I can't beg off to paint toys and drink beer! Have a look at the pics of the launch from their Facebook page. 

The event is being run by the dynamos at Pencil Neck Productions and it is the 2nd year of the this event. Monies raised are going to the Aids Council of Victoria and funds go towards projects like HIV prevention, treatment, research and education .

During the Midsumma festival here will be an exhibition of the bears in early January culminating a silent auction which will run during the duration of the show. I've taken part in charity auctions like this before & I have to admit I do get a bit competitive when it comes to the funds that my work raises!! Ok I admit it I am competitive but it's for a good cause so there!! 

Also to help fund the project they are crowd sourcing funds via Pozible so get in before the 22nd of December to show your support!! 

Stay tuned for pics of my bear!

Love Miss Foo XXX

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