Illawarra artists turned recycled materials into ceramics, stained glass, paintings and woodwork at Spring Exhibition last week in Clifton School of Arts.
The project which brought together three local artist was held to show how art can inspire sustainability and bring people together.
For stained glass artist Tess McMaugh, who has worked in the craft for more than 40 years, reusing existing materials is central to her practice.
“I like trying new things. This is a hollow log I found, or I’ll go to second-hand shops for the base of a lamp,” she said.
“I try to recycle as much as I can because I want to save the planet.”
Ms McMaugh, who also volunteer at local festivals and land care projects, has since expanded her work into painting, silk, wood carving and jewellery, but says recycling remains a common thread.
“Art does a huge thing for people. It brings people together,” she said.
“I think the majority of artists here do it more as a hobby and therefore they want to share it with the community … I think they have a big heart.”
Potter Leonora Heaven also focuses on sustainability, working with discarded clay rather than digging up new earth.
“If it’s going somewhere, or it’s being thrown out, I will take it and clean it up and filter it,” she said.
Secretary of Clifton School of Arts Kieran Jones said the exhibition reflects its long tradition of fostering creativity and connection in the Illawarra
“We’ve been a creative and cultural heart of the Illawarra since 1880. We bring people together through art, ideas and community,” he said.
“It’s good to have an independent space outside council facilities.”
The venue’s program continues with Love Song in October, Raging Harmony in November, and the large-scale Crescendo25 Artist Book Award in December.
“We hope we can connect them by having a facility that’s well run, well known, that brings the art community together,” he said.
