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Just a Sheila
Josie Lowerson
Just a Sheila
27 August – 7 September 2024
hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 12pm – 7pm
Saturdays: 12pm – 4pm
admission: Free
a sculptural narrative about social & domestic situations observed from a female perspective
Artist Statement – Just A Sheila
Josie Lowerson
Just A Sheila is an exhibition based on a concept that grew to fruition as a sculptural narrative about social & domestic situations observed from a female perspective. It is literally a three dimensional memoir of events & experiences that display a distinctly feminine visual signature and addresses everyday situations such as parenting, mundane chores, chauvinism, suicide, family, cosmetic enhancement and humorous incidents. The individual sculptures reflect the feminine sensuality and struggle of women whilst revealing the conflict between necessity and the desire to pursue goals.
The media used are mostly Australian hardwoods which have traditionally been a primarily male dominated choice of material. Girls were not allowed to do woodwork when I attended school so becoming a High school woodwork/metal/Visual Arts teacher in the chauvenistic 1980’s was instrumental in providing inspiration for many aspects in this collection of works. “Just a Sheila” resembles a visual timeline of varied life experiences and random incidental moments in time.These recycled hardwood timbers are physically demanding and time consuming to work with but resolution always results in strong forms & exquisite unpredictable surfaces. The flaws & cracks are accentuated & appreciated as they enhance the fragility & strength of the subject matter. A combination of techniques involving resins, metal, found objects, stenciling & paint are also incorporated in the artworks.
Early exposure to the sculptures of Rodin, Louise Bourgeois, Inge King, Bronwyn Oliver, Giacometti and classical figures were instumental in inspiring my passion for sculptural form.
A series of mix media drawings that relate to a variety of life experiences also accompany the sculptures.
– Artworks are currently held in Private & public collections in Australia, Berlin, New York & Italy.
– Overseas exhibitions – New York, Barcelona, Paris, Rotterdam, Italy (Florence, Capri, Naples & Palermo in Sicily)
Image 1: Expectations, Domestic Torso series, Josie Lowerson, stringybark and paint, 100cm H, 21kg
Image 2: Bloodlines, Josie Lowerson, grey box and hoop pine, 1700cm H
Image 3: Just a Shiela, Josie Lowerson, jarrah and paint, 80cm H
Image 4: Bowerbird conspiracy, Josie Lowerson, mixed media and grey box, 57cm H
Image 5: Hanky Head, Josie Lowerson, white cedar and paint
Image 6: Rabbiter, Josie Lowerson, Silver Valley box and found objects, 1800cm H
BIOGRAPHY – JOSIE LOWERSON
2024 – Solo exhibition, Just a Sheila, fortyfivedownstairs, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
2022 – Display of sculptures at Lenny Street eatery/wine bar, Tolga, Queensland
2019 – Exhibition, SMALL, fortyfivedownstairs, Flinders Lane, Melbourne
– Exhibition, Paper & Sticks, O.P.O Gallery, Atherton (with printmaker Bek Honeyman)
2017 – Exhibition, Contemporary ‘17, Gallery Etienne de Causans, Rue de Seine, Paris, France
– Exhibition, Capri-Isle of Art, Villa La Floridiana, Isle of Capri, Italy
– Workshop (Cairns) with Australian artist Abdul Abdullah
– Member of Australian Womens Art Register, Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria
2016 – Exhibition, Pazzi per Napoli at Castel dell Óvo, Naples, Italy
– International Art Fair, Rotterdam, Netherlands
– Exhibition, Eight by Ten, KickArts Contemporary Art Gallery, Cairns, Australia
– Tolga Woodworks Gallery, display of sculptures
2015 – International Art Fair, Paris 015 Art Salon, Carrousel Du Louvre, Paris, France
– Exhibition, Get Kicking, KickArts Contemporary Art Gallery, Cairns, Australia
– Exhibition, Bienal De Arte, Museum of Modern Art (MEAM) in Barcelona, Spain, opened by Jose Van Roy Dali (heir of Surrealist artist Salvador Dali)
– Exhibition, Florence Art, International Collective, Guicciardini Bongianna, Florence, Italy
– Exhibition, 2nd International Biennale, Palazzo Sant Elia, Palermo, Sicily
2014 – Art residency, Galleria Monteoliveto, Naples & Pollena Trocchea in Italy
– Solo Exhibition, The Great Art Hunt, Interactive childrens event, Cairns Art Gallery
2013 – Exhibition, Portals of Perception, Agora Gallery, West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York, U.S.A.
– Organiser of “Art Aid”, project supplying art-packs to underprivileged schools in East Timor
– Queensland local finalist in NEITA Excellence in Teaching Award (Art)
2012 – Exhibition, Birds of a Feather, Cairns Art Gallery, Queensland (Patron – Chinese Association)
2011 – Walk to Art Tour, New York, U.S.A.
– Award, Queensland Government International Year of the Woman, “Ordinary women / Extraordinary lives”
– Exhibition, Language of Art, Carrington Art Gallery, Noosa, Queensland
2010 – Solo Exhibition, Attire, Cairns Art Gallery
2007 – Form Sculptors of North Queensland, Display of two sculptures in windows of Cairns Art Gallery
2005 – Exhibition, Women in Action, Foyer Gallery, Atherton
2002 – Exhibition, Atrium Gallery, Paradise Palms, Palm Cove
2001 – Solo exhibition, Extracted, Cairns Art Gallery
1998 – Exhibition, Works on Paper, Bendigo Art Gallery, Non-acquisitive Award Winner
1997 – Exhibition, Sandhurst Trustees Women Sculptors, Capitol Theatre, Bendigo, Finalist, Sculptural works selected by Inge King
– Exhibition, Finalist, Works on Paper, Bendigo Art Gallery, Victoria
– Organisation & construction of sculptural “Peace Garden”, Barkly Street, Bendigo, Victoria
1996 – Exhibition, Second Agenda, Convent Gallery, Daylesford
– Worked on Artist in Residence program (C.C.B. Bendigo)
1994 – Exhibition, Agenda, Torii Gallery, Strathfieldsaye
1982 – Continuing Education course, Life Drawing
1980 – Oxy & Arc welding course, C.I.G, Preston, Melbourne
1978 – Exhibition, Wood thoughts, Gryphon Gallery, Carlton, Melbourne
– Two artworks purchased by the Potter Foundation, Permanent collection at Melbourne University
1977 – Demonstrated “Steam Bending” at National Gallery of Victoria, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
1976 – Participated in a volunteer program to bring Art to remote areas
1975 – University of Melbourne, Bachelor degree in Visual Arts & Crafts, Four year course with Majors in Painting, Drawing, Fine Art History & Wood
1956 – Born in Wycheproof, Victoria, Australia & raised on a wheat property at Narraport
Opening night
Tuesday 27th of August, 5-7pm