book launch celebrations...

I would like to send a massive thank you to everyone who attended my book launch yesterday, and especially to the beautiful Kari for her heartfelt speech.

Also, I would like to thank Noosa Regional Gallery and staff for giving me the opportunity to host the event in the gallery.  

A few photographs to share with you...

Kari and I preparing for the speech. 

Everyone getting seated...

Introduction by Margo Miranda (Gallery Programs Assistant) 

Everyone enthralled with Kari's beautiful speech

Thanking everyone for coming...

...and thanking the lovely Janet De Boer OAM (CEO TAFTA) for all her support and writing the foreword for my book.

And lastly, the book signing...

Book Signing - Mapleton Community Library

It'll be straight back into the saddle for me on Saturday 28 Nov with a guest spot and signing to promote my book at the Mapleton Community Library's Summer Book Sale and Mini Market. With the Book Launch the previous day (Fri 27 @ Noosa Regional Gallery) it's going to be a couple of fun filled days sharing and interacting with the community.  I'll be at the Library from 8 am to 10 am, it's a free event and everyone is welcome!

I hope you can join me on one of these happy occassions...

Mapleton Community Library 

Obi Obi Road (Opposite Pharmacy)

(07) 5445 7011 

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

  This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Library display + stockists

Earlier in the week, a window of opportunity presented itself for me to showcase my work in one of the display cabinets in the Maleny Library. What perfect timing to promote my forthcoming publication Expressions of Love and Book Launch (Fri 27 Nov 2015), only 11 days from today!

Also, I am super excited to announce Rosetta Books Maleny has approved my application to sell my books - yay! So now the locals (on the range) have an easier option for purchasing a copy. (other stockists include, Books of Buderim, Caloundra Regional and Noosa Regional Gallery Gift Shops, or via my website).

Pictured below and on the right is the actual book - how excitement!

Selected works on show...

Sharing an insight into my process and how I transform ordinary used tea bags into works of art - in this case, tea bag process in preparation for spinning.  

And local chap, Petrus calls in to deliver his beautifully dried used tea bags. His previous cache incorporated into Latched with Love and in the knitting above.

Book Launch - Noosa Regional Gallery

It gives me great pleasure to invite you to join me in this momentous occasion to celebrate the publication of Expressions of Love ...

Book Launch Friday 27 November 2015 at 10.30am 

Noosa Regional Gallery  

Riverside 9 Pelican St

Tewantin Q 4565

Please RSVP Noosa Regional Gallery on 07 5329 6145 or gallery@noosa.qld.gov.au

RELEASED Friday 27 November, 2015 - anyone wishing to purchase Expressions of Love the book, can find it at Books of Buderim, Rosetta Books Maleny, Caloundra Regional and Noosa Regional Gallery Gift Shops or by PayPal via my website www.kimschoenberger.com Retail price AUD $34.95 

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

 This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Expressions of Love, the book!

Seriously peeps - I don't know if it is the same for you - but the older I get the quicker time seems to just fly right by!

Earlier in the year I received funding from the Queensland Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) to publish a book highlighting my two exhibitions Expressions of Love I and II, and shivermetimbers it has definitely kept me on my toes! I have also been working on the (previously mentioned) commission, which still remains confidential, hence, my extended silence on social media.

Writing the story and compiling the book (entitled Expressions of Love) so far has been a wonderful experience and interesting process. There has been so much to do (and still is), and at times I have felt quite emotional. Anyone familiar with me will know how the works ended up forging their own path, entwined with my own life's story - having to revisit and write about it certainly stirred the sediment.

However I am super excited because as of today, the final design is burning up the tarmac in express post bound for the printers - yay!! Being a virgin self-publisher and an eager beaver I am finding a fair amount of patience is required on my part with the lengthy processes involved, and I still have a few more steps to go through before the final hard-copy is in my hot little hand. So in the meantime, there's a book launch to prepare and I have just received confirmation (hot off the press!) that the book launch will be held at Noosa Regional Gallery - so stay tuned for the dets.

I am also delighted to announce that Janet De Boer OAM has written the Foreword for the book and here's a sneak peak of the front cover...

An overview of the contents inside... designed as a coffee table style book, Expressions of Love will feature photographs of both collections (by professional photographer's Natalija Brunovs, Lindsay Ham and Tony Webdale) as well as the history of the development of my concepts throughout the exhibition journey, while also highlighting the overwhelming community support I received along the way. Expressions of Love containing 104 pages with 60 photographs illustrating 40 works plus 38 support photographs and Foreword by Janet De Doer OAM will be available at Art Galleries and bookshops on the Sunshine Coast in late November, 2015.

an evening with ATASDA

My artist talk was warmly received last Thursday evening, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank ATASDA (Aust Textile Arts Surface Design Assoc) for inviting me and everyone for coming along and making me feel very welcome - it was a most enjoyable evening. After sharing conversations with like minded folk on the various methods of re-using the humble tea bag, I was surprised by how many people are actually recycling and using them! (simple method for drying used tea bags, please see end notes).

Keeping in with tradition (using a vintage spinners wheel and foot-treadle sewing machine), my talk and demo was delivered in an ole fashioned manner by showcasing a selection of artworks from my Expressions of Love exhibitions, and providing a tactile area of  spun, sewn and partly crocheted tea bags for closer inspection.

A few snap shots from the evening, with photography courtesy of Jolanta Szymczyk

For anyone wishing to know how to dry used tea bags, here is a simple method for drying them:

Place wet/used tea bags on a porous surface* to dry i.e wood or concrete, all intact - tea, string, and label. Or alternatively, they can be air dried on oven racks, mesh trays or similar.

Tea bags can be dried in the sun or shade, however in a dry, shaded and warm positions is preferable. When the tea bags are completely dry store them in paper bags not plastic, as they go mouldy and are rendered unusable.

*a note of caution, staining may occur if drying wet tea bags on porous surfaces.

Artist Talk + Demonstration

I am delighted to announce, I will be conducting an Artist Talk and Demonstration for the
Australian Textile Arts & Surface Design Association (ATASDA). 

Close Knit CommUNITY, 2013 (Detail). One thousand sewn & spun recycled tea bags and thread. 

My artist talk focuses on the process and praxis behind my ‘Expressions of Love‘ exhibitions and how I created this series of works from over 17,000 donated recycled tea bags.  As part of my Artist Talk, I will also explain how I transform ordinary used tea bags into yarn and deliver a tea bag spinning demonstration.

Tea bag process for spinning.

My Artist Talk + Demonstration will take place at Queensland Spinners, Weavers & Fibre Artists Fibrecraft House on Thursday 18th June, 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Tea bag crochet coral forms

Over the last little while (in between commissions and studio time) I have been crocheting a small collection of tea bag coral forms for my contribution to the Sunshine Coast Satellite Reef project and I am excited to be attending the official exhibition opening today!

Representatives from the Caloundra Regional Gallery, in particular Julie Hauritz launched the project at World Environment Day 5 June 2014 - I also volunteered on the day and since its launch hundreds of entries have flooded in from all over around Australia contributing to the installation.

Below in the first two photographs show a sneak peak of my humble contribution. It is a small offering due to the lengthy process involved with the making - its hard to see the hundreds of tea bags that went into them. It was fun making them however the nature of the material presented me with a few challenges along the way.

And then another little teaser, the latter two photographs show a snippet of the display in the gallery, which, is complemented by large sculptural sea birds and sea creatures by artist Tony Rice (see large suspended sea turtle) with underwater coral photography of local reefs - the exhibition runs until 28 June.

The Sunshine Coast Satellite Reef is part of the worldwide Crochet Coral Reef Project created by the Institute for Figuring and directors Christine and Margaret Wertheim. The Crochet Coral Reef is a response to the devastation of living reefs due to global warming and ocean acidification while celebrating the intersection of higher geometry and feminine handicraft.

Taste of Art exhibition - Noosa Regional Gallery

The time lapse between my posts is seemingly getting wider and wider! Hope you are all well and happy J

I have been quietly working away in the shadows on a few projects which, unfortunately remain confidential at the moment so I am unable to share any juicy goss.  However, I have an artwork hanging in Noosa Regional Gallery for the Friends Noosa Regional Gallery's fourth group show Taste of Art, showcasing an array of rich and diverse local creatives responding to the theme Reflections - on display until Sunday 22 March 2015.

My exhibiting piece entitled Resilient II and pictured above may look familiar to some - it is the reverse sister to Resilient I featured in Living Change, Flying Arts Alliance Inc touring exhibition of the 2013 Queensland Regional Art Awards.  When creating the artwork the positive impression (cut) ended up being just as effective as the negative impression, so I created two artworks from the one cut.  For those of you that are interested in process... I discovered a great resource on my travels, a machine that cuts through corrugated iron (and thickened steel, marble etc) with great precision and of course by skill of the operator Steve, a man of great efficiency from Caloundra Waterjet Cutting.

Above, a detailed photograph water jet cutting the corrugated iron, and full view of the machine below, as you can see, this is a serious piece of equipment! 

post firing - success!

Fortunately, luck was on my side this week and I was able to push the Roman Artefact firing through quicker than expected, in between facilitating two separate children's workshops at Caloundra Regional Gallery, which was a load of fun I might add!

This morning I was eager to do the unloading, keen to see the final results. And yay, all looks great!

A few snapshots from yesterday's workshops...making clay dragons is always a hit with the kids!

(photo credit, Julie Hauritz)

(photo credit, Julie Hauritz)

And assembling Sacred Temples and Tree Houses from a plethora of materials; paper, cardboard, canvas, string, skewers, pipe cleaners etc... little Ziggy, with her tree house.

2015, and back to work!

Seriously, is it 2015 already? Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, mine was a quiet one enjoying quality time around the home and catching up with close friends and family.

But now its back work and picking up from where I left off from last year - this week finds me in the ceramic studio finishing the Roman Artifact commission.  Loading the kiln and firing the bisque earlier in the week and today glazing and re-loading, a bit of a workout glazing the large amphorae!

Above picture, the kiln stack all loaded and ready to go.

Using a little artistic licence and creative stacking, the two large amphorae are stabilized using the up turned medicine bottles. And, a little wadding pad in between (detail below), for releasing easily after the firing.

Will post the outcome in a week or so...

The Apron, Beneath the Skin, on tour

The group exhibition my tea bag apron features in The Apron Beneath the Skin, opened at the Gympie Regional Gallery last weekend.  It's second showing thus far. I believe it's of great benefit to have an exhibition go on tour, not only for the artist themselves (for additional exposure) but for the wider community abroad, particularly for regional audiences.

The opening was very well received, unfortunately I have no photographs of the opening,  I didn’t have my camera with me, nor my iphone – so you will just have to take my word for it!   However, I do have photographs of artworks from the Brisbane display, I can share with you.

 The Apron ‘Beneath the Skin’ is a collaborative exhibition featuring the Apron as the garment with the capacity for individual and universal story-telling.  Curated by Heinke Butt and is on display until 17 December, in case you're interested in seeing it.

Your invitation...

Traditional Aprons include (signature image on invitation above), Kirdi Beaded Apron, Kirdi people, Cameroon Africa. Late 19th Century. Crafted with glass beads, cotton thread and cowrie shells.  Among other traditional aprons (not complete)... work by women of the Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Corporation depicting the untold stories of Aboriginal women working in domestic homes in the early 20th century - collection of eight aprons, five pictured - each with individual titles and artists.

Referencing tradition, mixed media piece, including; vintage calico, fabric remnants, photo transfers, lino-cut prints, horse shoe, broom handle, buttons, pins, pegs, wool, needles and recipes - apron detail; Teller of Tales, Keeper of Memories by Glenis Gray.

There are also contemporary interpretations of the apron and created with unconventional materials... like Heinke's piece entitled "Am I Clean?" made of pot scourers, chicken wire and wire.

One of three aprons, Corrie Wright utilises everyday materials. "Every day is tough"  sewn empty pill packets.

"Knitted Copper Wire Apron" by Christopher Hardwick.

Elli Schlunke's piece entitled "Why're We Wired Thus" has also knitted with unconventional materials, electrical phone cords!

This visual feast is just a snippet of artworks on show, there are many other artists and artworks to see, and of course my piece, Pinny is in there too!

My previous apron post for anoyone interested into the making of my apron J

Commission keeping me busy

When I go all quiet, it generally means I am working on something....

Within a couple of months of retiring from the annual Abbey Medieval Festival (to consolidate my art practice), a commission comes in for ancient Roman artefacts. Ironic!  I know it's not the same time period, but I still find it funny, how when you finally decide to move on....

However, not one to let an opportunity pass me by and with no major commitments at hand and my exhibition just about to finish, what the heck!  Several large and small amphorae (tallest 700mm) and a couple of oil lamp holders.

A little creative thinking for drying the pointed amphorae base, submerged into buckets and supported by coarse sand - challenging, to say the least!

So the drying process begins - given the size of each, especially the larger amphorae, drying them slowly and over a month or so, is the go...

movies to see and artworks up for grabs!

Pictured below, Radiant Love is currently being showcased and is up for grabs at the Art with Heart Art display alongside ten other artworks as the major fundraiser for the 2014 Heart of Gold International Film Festival Gympie, Thursday 9th-12th October.  Art with Heart Art consists of artwork donated by renowned and local artists and is coordinated by Joolie Gibbs and her team at the Gympie Regional Gallery.  Ten artists include; Kim Schoenberger, Joolie Gibbs, Robin Hines, Amy Young, Jane Welsh, Sam Keane, Sherrie Rowan, Nonie Metzler, Bernadette Tuffley, Ryan Bailey.

 

Artworks up for grabs, I believe, are being displayed in the Propectors Hall for the duration of the event and to be in the draw, purchasers will be able to buy a ticket, record their order of preference for each of the artworks and as tickets are drawn, winners will be allotted their hightest preferred artwork, depending on the pieces remaining at the time you may still win your artwork of preference.  Tickets are $20 each and are limited to 500 tickets - drawn Sunday afternoon October 12, 2014.

  

Radiant Love, 2011. Found objects, steel and porcelain.

 

The Heart of Gold International Short Film Fest kicks off tomorrow at the Gympie Civic Centre, 32 Mellor St - there is a wonderful program with planner you can download, for convenience here is the direct link to their  > website.