News | June 2022 Gallery of Small Things, Canberra

The sun is toasting my back as I sit beneath a spreading plane tree which is dressed to the hilt in all its Autumn finery in the heart of Canberra. I have just enjoyed a peaceful nights rest at The Little National Hotel followed by a delicious breakfast next door at Ritual — a morning coffee destination for “The Suits” of  Canberra —also “The Heels” (I spied palest blue and patent caramel) as they head off to work in High Places.

I am here because I have been invited by Anne Masters the Director of Gallery of Small Things (GOST) to be the Feature Artist at GOST for the month of June — a great honour.

Yesterday I drove up from Metung — following the coast to Cann River before heading West through forest and the beautiful sparse landscape and big cloud filled skies of The Monaro to Canberra.

With me I have a collection of small collages — Little Dress Ups — made by hand in Metung from upcycled scraps and offcuts — a gesture to a time of lockdown and “Making  Do”.

I met Anne Masters in 2021 when I sought her help with bringing the marketing aspects of my art practice into the zeitgeist of the times. Anne helped me with bringing a new website into being as well as sorting out the tangle of my CV and  many other small details that I will be forever grateful for.  More than anything she gave me a new confidence and a renewed zest for getting back into the studio and getting my work out into the world again.

This afternoon I am heading  out to Watson to Anne’s very special gallery — the smallest Gallery in Canberra — small in space, but big in heart and outreach with a stable of artists that create magic in far from small ways. Precious cargo on board!