Georges River Artist in Residence program

Lauren McCartney, Drip, 2021

The 2021 Artist in Residence program has provided a unique creative platform for four diverse artists including: Lauren McCartney, Keila Terenico, Louisa Chircop and Sandra Winkworth. Whilst each artist works in unique and different ways, all have recognised the importance of such a space for creative development.

Lauren McCartney used her residency to continue to explore a body of work she had started in 2020. Interested in visually capturing the pressure she felt as a woman during COVID--19, Lauren produced a series of still life photographs of domestic objects which she then stuffed with dough. Dough is a familiar material for Lauren, drawn to the textures and forms dough creates; the way in which it rises and expands; secreting and changing.

The combination of dough and objects created these beautiful and grotesque still life images, a fusion of the domestic space and representations of forbidden female flesh, excess and indulgence. Photographs produced during this residency will become part of a solo exhibition in 2022. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the time I [spent] in the space. Being able to look out over the river helped my creative process, as did being completely alone for days at a time. It was a very peaceful experience.’ said Lauren.

Keila Terencio is a Sydney based artist, born and raised in Brazil. She is curious about ways of storytelling; in her practice she explores physical theatre, aerial dance, puppetry and movement, with a particular interest in subjects related to culture, languages and identity that unite people and societies.

During her residency, Keila utilised her time completing a video work in collaboration with photographer, Emilio Cresciani. This video work was screened as part of the Un[contained] Arts Festival.

‘There is nothing like having a space to create, to explore, to make art. It is the first time I have an opportunity of a live-in residency, at the Carss Park Artist Cottage, my project had a “home” and so many other creative seeds were planted from this time spent there. I am leaving the space with my mind and heart full of ideas, and with opportunities to exhibit the work created here.’ said Keila.

Louisa Chircop’s work investigates the human condition and the subconscious. During her residency, she explored the distance between the Carss Park Artist’s Cottage and her old home, revisiting her past from a distance.

‘The residency contributed towards further research into developing concepts to explore in my work. It was really interesting to experiment with how I responded to Carss Park as an artist who grew up in the area.’ said Louisa Sandra Winkworth finds inspiration from everyday found materials which she then combines with watercolours and traditional printmaking to form temporary DIY installations, collages, assemblages and book art. During her residency, Sandra photographed and painted daily, soaking up her surroundings, she even offered free weekly workshops within the park.

Like Lauren, Sandra produced work during this residency that will be exhibited in 2022; a testament to the importance of residencies for the creation of new work.

‘I had a productive stay as this residency is truly unique. It was incredible to be living within a park full of life: diverse activities and cultural practices, beautiful sentinel trees with a raucous birdlife, the sun rising over the water and open skies, and many friendly exchanges. I enjoyed researching park life collecting much reference material to feed more art projects than I proposed. I could have easily stayed longer.’ said Sandra.

We look forward to seeing what our future Artists in Residence create during their time in Carss Park. For more information on the Georges River Artist in Residence program visit www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au/AIR.

Keila Terencio and Emilio Cresciani, End of a River, 2021