Your Custom Text Here
This first solo exhibition from Mary Pulford was created in response to an Artist Residency on Flinders Island. Inspired by the remote and isolated environment, Mary invites you to enjoy a range of gorgeous creations including printmaking, ceramics and painting.
Catalyst - exploring and interpreting areas of science that change the way we look at the world.
A joint exhibition with Bittondi Printmakers, held at Mrs Harris's Shop during Science week.
Artists Statementfor Catalyst by Mary Pulford.
Continuing to follow the trail of the quirky Mice, this new series is for Catalyst is science based. My starting point for this series was a statement made by a friend about ‘Artists have a voice and they should use it to highlight issues.’ I chose four issues which I believe that society as a whole should be discussing or doing something about.
Global Warning.
The issue of Global Warming refuses to go away. With advocates and sceptics waging a war of words, while the world awaits its fate. Is Global Warming real, or is it a myth? There needs to be continued research, education and implementation of strategies to avoid a global crisis.
Lab Mouse. It was discovered that…
Following on from Against Animal Testing (From the series Alchemy, 2013), I found that I noticed many snippets in the newspaper reporting the trials that mice had been used in. maybe researchers will discover that…mice don’t like being science experiments.
Evolution.
This work started with another snippet from a newspaper with a dual message. Firstly there is a lack of science literacy, and we could argue education in the sciences. Secondly, that lack of science literacy and education is undermining the knowledge that the public have about Darwin’s theory of evolution. My mice are contemplating the message, in a swirling depiction of species of the Mus family.
Wind Farm.
“The Renewable Energy Target (RET) is design to ensure that 20% of Australia’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020. The RET is vital in the development of clean low-cost renewable energy sources.” [1] This scheme is to be reviewed by the current government. So ask yourselves, should our society continue to rely on fossil fuels which contribute to pollution of the atmosphere, and will eventually run out? Or should we spend more on clean renewable energy? You be the judge.
[1] Making Waves, July 2014.
Media Release for Catalyst
Presented by members of Bittondi Printmakers Association Inc.
Mrs Harris Shop, 36 Jervois St, Torrensville.
· Opening event: from 6pm Friday 1st August. Opening speaker will be Simon Langsford, Senior Education Officer at the SA Museum; and live music from bluegrass band, The Cherry Pickers.
· Exhibition open from 11am -3pm on each Saturday and Sunday of August.
Through various print media members of Bittondi Printmakers Association Inc. explore and interpret areas of science that may change the way we look at the world.
For these printmakers, this is an exploration into the myriad branches of science – a journey through scientific concepts and possibilities. Each printmaker interprets the theme Catalyst via a diversity of printmaking techniques.
Catalyst is Bittondi Printmakers Association’s second science themed exhibition at the popular Mrs. Harris’ Shop. Catalyst is part of both SALA and National Science Week 2014.
The Artists.
Eleven members of Bittondi Printmakers Association are presenting their work for the science themed exhibition Catalyst.
Elizabeth Banfield states that through art we can make a study of our own lives lived: ageing, loss, the nature of memories; as well as our place in the fragile fabric of life.
Geoff Gibbons also examines the fragile nature of our environment, reflecting that there are many catalysts feeding the disturbing changes to our climate, and is particularly interested in the changes we are beginning to see in marine and terrestrial life.
Kay Walker’s series Talking with Bees refer to a world first research program by the Tasmanian CSIRO, studying bees and their association in the environment.
Julia Wakefield meanwhile focuses on the smallest view, researching the way the electron microscope has revolutionised our view of the natural world, and has begun a series of photopolymer etchings that mingle fantasy with microscopic reality.
Mary Pulford, with mice firmly in tow, presents her quirky view of some current issues of science.
Finally, Sarah Thame states that the desire for a solution acts as the catalyst for her work.
The prints shown in this exhibition reflect the outcomes of each artist’s experimentation in printmaking to find interesting ways of engaging with the fascinating world of science.
Bittondi Printmakers Association Inc.
Bittondi Printmakers Association Inc is a non-profit, community-based visual arts organisation association which aims to:
Provide open access studio and display space for printmakers.
Foster the sharing of information and skills between members and the community through workshops and other activities.
Promote printmaking as an art form within the local and wider community.
Support young and emerging artists to extend their practice as part of a community of printmakers.
Bittondi Printmakers Association Inc is based within the Aberfoyle Park High School campus. The name Bittondi is a Kaurna word meaning ‘to press’ and reflects the activity of making prints. The name was chosen by the members to honour the Kaurna land, on which the studio is located, and the Kaurna people.
For more information on Bittondi please email Bittondi@hotmail.com
ABX:Decadence
Celebrating a decade of artists books, this was a joint exhibition with Luna Bird.
Mary Pulford explored themes relating to nature with 'Aboretum - Trees I have Known' and 'Birds of New Holland.'
A...Pod...Boom!
Pod7 was formed in 2003 by a group of O'Halloran Hill VizArts students. Susan Clarkson (Luna Bird), Michelle Whichello, Kay Walker, Vicki Hunter, Veronica Thurley, Ethel Lindblom and Mary Pulford presented their first exhibition as part of the Adelaide Fringe in 2004. A...Pod...booom! was a diverse exhibition including printmaking, photography, drawing, mixed media and installation. Opened by Vivonne Thwaites, this first exhibition had a great response from visitors and an encouraging amount of sales. Pod7 went on to exhibit in other venues. Five members went on to become the founding committee of Bittondi Printmakers Association Inc, which is today based at Aberfoyle Park High School. Luna Bird and Mary Pulford still participate in exhibitions together, and have now formed an artists book makers group ABX, who will be exhibiting in SALA 2017.
Colour Me Happy.
Colour me Happy was an exhibition presented by the art group pod7 at The Promenade Gallery, Flinders Medical Centre in 2005. Comprising of drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and mixed media, the exhibition aimed to make a colourful happy space for all to visit. The image 'Little Red Rooster' is a relief print from wood by Mary Pulford.
Imprimatur - imprints from the bridge.
Dairy Days. Photopolymer and dry point etching.
Age of Steam. Photopolymer and dry point etching.
Haven for Birds. Two plate photopolymer with hand colouring.
Reflecting on the history of Murray Bridge, I was interested to discover that the first people, the local Ngaralta tribe gave the area a name translating to mean ‘Haven for Birds’. This became the basis for my first work ‘Haven for Birds’, showing local bird species with one of the first European maps the area.
The area was then developed for agriculture, and in particular the dairy trade. I have used another early map from the 1880s to show some of the early subdivisions and land reclamation as a basis for my second work ‘Dairy Days.’ I grew up with cows, and I created a dry point etching of one of our cows Queenie, with her calf Soxy to overlay the map.
Closer to the present day, came the railway and the ‘Age of Steam.’ Being brought up with a family of fitters and turners, all passionate about steam engines, I found a snippet of information about looking after trains, and in this case the 620 class engines, and have combined this with a South Australian 620 class engine.
Conversations (2016) Artists statement – Mary Pulford.
Preserved.
‘Preserved’ is a series of works which I began in 2014, and have been working on again this year. I have been using recipes collected by my Great Grandmother Florence Mary Watson. Preserving food whether by bottling, pickling or making jams and jellies was a part of the way of life, at the end of the 19th century.
I have preserved 9 of the recipes, adding illustrations, and then creating them as hand coloured photopolymer prints.
Green Gooseberry Chutney, Rhubarb Jam, Pickled Salmon, Raspberry Vinegar and Bottle Strawberries, from the initial part of the series have been joined by Mushroom Ketchup, Lemon Curd, To Pickle Onions and Red Currant Jelly.
This book object is presented in heritage Fowlers Vacola preserving jars, and available as unframed prints, I hope that you enjoy this delicious series.
Wombat.
‘Wombat’ started as an idea while I was on an artists residency on Flinders Island. I found that towards dusk, these shy creatures would make their way out to graze on the tough island grass.
I started on a series of linocut wombats, and experimented with making handmade paper from a combination of cotton trash and wombat poo. I then printed the linocuts onto this handmade paper.
Inspired by the isolated and beautiful environment, as well as the delight of seeing the wombats, I have tried to represent the rugged earthiness of the landscape using paper which I have created rust effects. I then made dry point plates, to print onto the rusted paper landscapes.
The book structure is an accordion binding with signatures.