Artists of the Central Highlands

The prolific creative output of Wheatsheaf artist Frances Guerin is informed by a background in philosophy and transpersonal psychology. Frances began solo exhibiting in the early 1980s and today her whimsical “humaroos” are particularly popular with collectors.

Eve: How do you prefer to describe your style?

Frances: My style is eclectic, encompassing ceramics painting and drawing and assemblage. After retiring from human services in 2005, I completed a Diploma of Ceramics at Federation University, a fantastic course, then graduated with a Masters of Visual Arts at LaTrobe Bendigo, focusing on Irish contemporary art that drew links between preCeltic spirituality and the Australian First Nations dreaming.

Eve: How did you come to art?

Frances: My father took me to Bendigo Art Gallery when I was about eight and I was hooked. My mother had a selection of prints by French impressionists, classical works and a fine selection of ceramic vases and figurines, and she would often encourage me to paint, probably to get me out of her hair. I loved art history and did many journeys across Europe, Egypt and Asia trawling through archaeological sites, museums and galleries, filling journals with sketches of Old Masters works.

Eve: Which artists have influenced your own work?

Frances: Early on I loved anything ‘trippy’ like Salvador Dali. Then the feminist artists who opened the door for women, like Judy Chicago and Paula Rego. More recently when I was travelling through Ireland, I saw the public art was both enchanting and moving...

Eve: What’s your medium and subject matter of choice?

Frances: I move between drawing and ceramics. Ceramics is demanding, a week’s work can be lost during a firing. The terrible ping of a cracking or shattering can put me off for weeks. At the moment I work between large face pots, figurines, and small animals. The humaroos are my ‘iconic’ best seller, so I like to keep a number in stock. More recently after the Australian Ballet performed Harlequinade last year, I have made several sets of the Commedia del’arte characters.

Eve: Have you ever worked in any other area besides your arts practice?

Frances: I worked as a therapist for many years, with individuals and groups, after training in transpersonal psychology. Then worked as an education officer in health and did some teaching at tertiary institutions. After establishing a vipassana meditation practise, I taught hundreds of classes in Melbourne and Central Victoria. On several occasions I had the opportunity to do some event management, including two tours of Tibetan monks and nuns creating sand mandalas.

Eve: When you work do you like to play music and if so what is your music of choice?

Frances: Dead Can Dance, Buddha Bar, Clannad, Lisa Gerrard, classical music.

Eve: To date, what have been your career highlights as an artist?

Frances: Craft Lab Ballarat Mining Exchange 2022, UNESCO listing Folk Art and Craft best exhibit Royal Melbourne Show and a Julia Gillard face pot purchased by the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

Eve: Finally, do you have any exhibitions or special arts events coming up?

Frances: Immortal Diamond Exhibition is showing at the Southbank Vitrines, 152 Sturt Street, Melbourne until February 26. And I will have an open studio at 55 Whitegum Drive, Wheatsheaf during the ChillOut weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.

Image: Nadine Jade

with Eve Lamb