Spending time with artists
- Cindy Watson
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
On a very cold July day I visited three artists who generously gave up some of their time to talk about their work. Being the only visitor was a luxury, allowing me to chat at some length about their work and how preparations are going for Open Studios.
Leona Gu
Leona's mission is to be a lifelong learner as she experiments and grows as an artist, combining Eastern with Western art practices, whilst creating a cohesive blend of the two.
Taking her inspiration from nature, Leona is currently studying an Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts, and over the past ten years, she has concentrated on oil painting, focusing on landscapes.
Leona's large and colourful artworks are built up in layers and she allows the under-painting to shine through in places. For me, this is a visual representation of the artist’s journey from birthplace to current home- the layers of experiences which make the whole person.
Whilst Leona’s art reflects her life in the hills with recognisable scenes such as Mundaring Weir and Jacaranda trees in blossom, it also incorporates elements of traditional Chinese mark-making techniques- truly East meets West!
During Open Studios Leona's evocative art will be on display at the Ming Restaurant, Mundaring; art and delicious food- a great combination!
Kerramics Studio
Jen Kerr and Bernard Kerr
Having worked with a wide range of media in my teaching career, I prefer painting and textiles in my own art practice, so it is always fascinating to visit artists who express themselves through such a tactile medium as clay. The elements of earth, water, air and fire coming together to create beautiful objects is nothing short of alchemy.
Jen and Bernard Kerr’s busy ceramics studio is well-equipped with large bench spaces and shelves, as well as kilns, wheels and a variety of tools of the trade. On the shelves and tables there are pieces from previous years, as well as newer work, and it was fascinating to see the development of ideas and interests.
Jen Kerr is preparing for her first solo exhibition Picnic Terrain at Mundaring Arts Centre, where she will display a collection of hand-built ceramic platters and vessels, complemented by luscious, flowing glazes, reminiscent of earth, sea and forest, in which she captures the connection with ancestors, and millennia of the soul’s need to create items that are both functional and beautiful. I have my eye on several of her pieces, including cups which I'm sure will make coffee taste even better.
Her exhibition is on from August 24th until October 26th at Mundaring Arts Centre.
Bernard Kerr works in both stoneware and porcelain drawing inspiration from the natural world and the Western Australian landscape. In his Coincident exhibition of 2024 he investigated the relationships between image and object by referencing the history of painting and sculpture in the medium of ceramics. Bernard work encompasses installation, sculpture and functional pieces that are thought-provoking, celebrate craft skills and articulate the elements and principles of art and design. He has an enviable depth and breadth of knowledge shares which he is happy to share with both studio visitors and students. To watch Bernard at work on a large piece is to witness an amalgamation of strength, confidence and delicacy. Whilst I won’t be working with clay anytime soon, I am always impressed by those who display such an affinity with this elemental material.
In his spare time(!) Bernard is President of the Ceramic Arts Association of WA and is about to finish up a major role as Director of the Australian Ceramics Triennale to be held in Fremantle in October, where he will also chair a panel discussion on glazes. Bernard’s aim is to advocate and promote craft as a vital aspect of human experience crucial to our society.
Kerramics Studio is truly a family affair, as Robbie Kerr will join his parents at Open Studios presenting his own ceramic work which uses texture, pattern and colour to explore the themes of the natural environment. I’ll be very interested to see the commonalities and differences shared by three artists who have shared so much of their lives with each other.
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