Lucy Barker

Solo exhibition, The Art Factory, Maitland Regional Art Gallery
11th Nov 2011 - 19th Feb 2012,
Opening celebration 10th Dec, 3 - 5pm.

Luminous picture postcard holiday memories are woven out of colourful vintage chair webbing.

The Art Factory consists of a traditional gallery space upstairs and a special space dedicated to children downstairs. Downstairs children get to interact one on one with the ideas and processes used by the artist upstairs. As part of the downstairs experience I have created a movie projection documenting the creation of the central piece upstairs, a giant 6m w x 2 m h sunrise woven out of vintage chair webbing. The audience is encouraged to take their own photo in front of the work, (using the camera provided) so they become special guests in the movie which I will update throughout the show. Have a look at the NEWS opage of this website to see the movie updaytes of the visitors to the show.

This show coincides with my 3rd consecutive representation at Sculpture By The Sea in which I am using the same material; vintage polypropylene chair webbing.

There’s Never Been a Better Time

For this work I have revived 5 existing benches around the Bondi - Tamarama walk by adorning them with colourful, vintage polypropylene chair webbing, a la beach chairs and folding aluminium chairs of lesiure. They become a reminder to stop, slow down and ponder how things have changed, and what may have stayed the same.
Installed Nov 3rd - Nov 20, 2011, Bondi.

Sunny days, sandy hair, the sea breeze and smell of sunscreen, watermelon in terry toweling jumpsuits… For this ongoing body of work I have taken the classic folding aluminium, webbed chair from the 1950s and revived it for our modern lives, bringing back to life and into our lounge rooms all that it has come to represent.

Each abstract design is carefully woven from colourful vintage chair webbing over wooden frames, reinterpreting a design classic for today. Available for purchase or commission.

This series of small paintings were done “in loving memory” of my time living an drawing at Avoca Beach.

A nonsensical and concerning look at our relationship with nature and the weather.

2010, mixed media, each approx 12cm h x 8cm w x 8cm d

Sculpture By The Sea, 2010

Constructed almost entirely from clothes drier lint it is comprised of hundreds of sea urchin-like shapes that range in size from approx 40cm diameter down to 3cm diameter.  The ‘urchins’ are grouped in 7 ‘pods’ that hug the rocks and range in size from about 40cm sq to 2m sq.

The work is situated on the rocks of Mackenzie’s Bay (in between Bondi and Tamarama) from October 28th - NOv 15th 2010.

Many thanks to Valia laundry Services in Marrickville and all my family, friends and businesses who have contributed, it was a real group effort and would not have been possible without your help collecting.

Sea Cells, 2010, drier lint, polyester thread, chicken wire

Brain Child 611

wood (plantation pine), oil paint and resin.

4.5m w x 2.5 m d x 36cm h

Giant sized Cuisneaire Rods, (counting blocks dating back to the early 1960s) lie on the ground fresh from their box. Barely touched they represent the enormous possibilties of a childs mind, a frozen moment on the cusp of life.

Special thanks to Art Spectrum for material sponsorship and Midcoast Timber Centers for all their help.

The doing of drawing is such a peaceful yet powerful act, akin to meditation. I try to draw everyday and wil add some more examples to this odd selection shortly.

5 Lands Walk, Avoca Beach, June 2009
Suitcases, beach sand, PVA and Terry Towelling
approx 2m w x 3 m d x 1.5m h

Living at the beach sand is ubiquitous.
It is synonymous with the feeling of home as well as the ocean.
Heading home, whether it be from a long commute or an trip away, time accelerates and you start to feel the sand creeping in again; Between your toes, in your hair, under your nails, in the cuffs of your pants, in your shoes, in the shower and always surprises in children’s pockets.