The Proof of Concept exhibition marks the halfway point of my 2 year Handshake 8 journey. It has been such an incredible, yet busy year. I have loved every moment of the last 12 months being a part of the program. Through the Handshake Project I have found an incredible creative community, which has been vital in moving my arts practice forward. As a maker with a studio space at home the environment can be quite isolating. This year I have found the conservations about making and seeing how others work crucial in broadening my horizons. Other times it is discovering you’re not alone in finding it hard to make or juggling life, external work and an arts practice.
Some of the highlights of this past year have included: virtual classes with Estela Saez, the Push/Pull workshop with Renee Bevan, Nelson Jewellery Week, the communications course with Mary-Jane Duffy and feedback sessions with Beppe Kessler. Each of these played a role in impacting my arts practice for the better.
Estela Saez’s virtual classes:
Renee Bevan’s Push/Pull workshop:
Mary-Jane Duffy’s course:
Beppe Kessler coaching sessions:
Subsequent work’s created for Fingers (Auckland) and Avid Gallery (Wellington):
All of the inspirations, ideas and experiments (many of them stuck onto my pinboard below) have come together to push my creative boundaries in 2023.The artworks I created for the Proof of Concept exhibition feels like the result of melting pot of ideas, but in the same moment it feels like a solid foundation for continued exploring next year.
