Website: www.brendagaelsmith.com
Facebook: Serendipity Patchwork Quilting
E-mail: brenda@brendagaelsmith.com
Brenda creates textile paintings and sketches made from a rich palette of her hand-dyed fabrics complemented by extensive, textural stitching. Much of her work is inspired by the colour and patterns of the natural world. Using a process of abstraction, she captures the essence of her subjects in simplified form. Working improvisationally, Brenda refines line, shape, colour and texture to evoke a sense of place, express an idea, highlight an issue or elicit an emotional response.
Daily walks are a creative habit integral to Brenda’s studio practice whether she is at home or travelling. By closely observing her surroundings, and taking photos, she has a bountiful inspiration bank that informs her work. Brenda also embraces the serendipity factor. From the dye pot, to the design wall, to the sewing machine, she is always open to the possibility of a glorious accident.
Brenda’s work is exhibited internationally and nationally. Parallel with her studio practice, Brenda is also an independent curator, judge, mentor and teacher.
Karkalla
Retail Price: A$2000
Dimensions: 90cm x 90cm (35x35in) (H x W)
Statement: Karkalla aka pig face (carpobrotus rossii) is a succulent coastal groundcover plant native to Australia. From late spring into summer, it forms a vibrant carpet on the dunes at Copacabana where I live. It’s daisylike form brings instant cheer with a pink tendrils and a large yellow centre reflecting the sun.
Exhibitions: AQC Challenge 2017. Made in Australia: Flora and Fauna
Shake a Tail Feather
Retail Price: A$1,200.00
Dimensions: 62x84cm (H x W)
Statement: Attitude is everything: We can learn something from kookaburras with their tailfeathers at a jaunty angle and their infectious laughs.
Exhibitions: Buda Contemporary Textiles 2018 and Natural Abstractions Solo Exhibition, Gosford Regional Gallery
Integrifolia #3: Stops & Starts
Retail Price: A$2000.00
Dimensions: 109x114cm (H x W)
Statement: As the woody, cone-like fruit of the coastal banksia mature, the follicles open up to reveal irregular elliptical chambers. Seeds are released to start the cycle of regeneration anew. Nature is replete with such stops and starts. This is reflected in the complementary palette of red and green and the lines of stitching echoing out into the universe.
Exhibitions: Golden Textures 2019
Integrifolia #4: Potential
Retail Price: A$1600.00
Dimensions: 109x114cm (H x W)
Statement: The cone-like fruits of the banksia integrifolia contain elliptical chambers that open up to release feathery seeds full of potential. Each cone is the embodiment of possibilities.
Exhibitions: Third China Shenzhen International Quilt Art & Handicrafts Exhibition; Gosford Art Prize 2019 finalist; and 1st prize Small Quilt category Modern Quilt Show Australia 2019.
