Two new shows are opening at East Gippsland Art Gallery – Meralin Fawcus’s Artworks with a Twist and Alice Hesse’s Nature
Inspired Weaving, launching this Friday at 5.30pm.
Both exhibitions will run from May 10 to June 15.
Meralin Fawcus was told early on by her mother that she exaggerated. After that, Meralin says it was a logical step to gravitate to the advertising and marketing industry for a career.
“I spent 48 years designing and illustrating for many large advertising agencies. Now that I am free from the constraints of client’s wishes, I can draw and paint whatever I wish. I still exaggerate certain elements to a degree, to achieve a slightly twisted outcome for the finished painting,” she said.
Meralin said she is fascinated by what people see in her artworks, and for her that’s the enjoyable part. She has been known to eavesdrop at art shows to hear their reactions.
Alice Hesse learned weaving techniques from the Yolngu women of Mapuru in North East Arnhem land, known as the Arnhem Weavers.
Alice’s early works were made from pandanus, prepared and dyed with natural materials in Arnhem land. Nowadays, she mostly uses New Zealand flax from her garden and commercially available raffia, often incorporating local driftwood into her designs.
“Weaving allows me to stay mindful and creatively engaged with the natural world. While I begin with a basic shape, the creative process evolves subconsciously during weaving, letting each piece take its own form,” Alice said.
“I am deeply thankful to the women of Mapuru for their generosity in sharing their traditional weaving skills with me and inspiring me to pursue my own creative path.”
