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BRIDGET FOLEY

Every month we will present an in depth look at one of our artists. This month we shine our spotlight on Bridget Foley.

Bridget Foley in her studio

Bridget Foley is a studio potter based in Melbourne, Australia.  At university, Foley studied psychology and visual arts.  While working as a youth worker Foley started pottery classes and ended up teaching in TAFE for 25 years and running my ceramics studio. Since 2015 Foley worked full time in her studio.

We asked Bridget a few questions:

Favourite Snack while creating:

Almonds and sultanas, when I really need an energy boost, chocolate coated almonds!

Favourite Documentary:

My Octopus teacher.  I am a keen snorkeller and all things undersea.  This was a beautifully filmed,  well told story.

Works of art in my dream collection:

I recently saw an exhibition of Ben Shearer’s outback water colours, I would be very happy to have one of his large works on my wall.

Bridget Foley at Bendigo Pottery, 2023.

Loved it.  Bought it:

Last year I bought a David Frazer wood cut.  Two lovers in a boat  sailing the open sea.  Beautiful printmaker and storyteller with his images.

Living artist I admire:

Sydney ceramicist Simone Fraser.  Beautiful original work and amazing glazes and a very generous nice person too!

Best advice from mentor:

I worked for potter Victoria Howlett for year.  First thing she asked was ‘Do you drop things?’  Something you don’t want in a pottery studio.  Other advice, keep working, practice, learn from others, look at good art.

Advice to my younger self:

Be more assertive, have more confidence in your own ability. Be patient, don’t try and do everything at once

Currently reading:

Just finished Pip Williams ‘The bookbinders of Jericho.’ Also, Victorian potter Owen Rye’s memoir, ‘Beyond Short Street’

Three things I am grateful for:

That I married a builder, who built my studio and who is a great all round helper. My children and extended family, and being able to work as an artist, to create work.

Go to art website:

Melbourne based Skepsi Gallery. Anna Maas, great supporter and promoter of Australian ceramics.  Always does a great job with her website.

If not Melbourne, where?

Anywhere by the sea, Bellarine Peninsula, Point Lonsdale.  I spend quite a bit of time there.  Swimming, walking, breathing in the sea air. A lot of my inspiration for my work comes from there.

Bridget Foley: Shorelines, 2023, H 25cm x W10cm x D10cm, Porcelaneous stoneware
Bridget Foley: Sunlight on an Emerald Sea,2023, H 18cm x W15cm x D 15 cm, Porcelaneous stoneware


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ANGELA CAVALIERI

Every month we will present an in depth look at one of our artists. This month we shine our spotlight on

Angela Cavalieri, “O cumu mi ricuardu”, 82 x 116cm, Hand-printed linocut and acrylic paint on canvas

 

Angela Cavalieri explores the art of writing in visual form. In her large-scale hand printed linocuts, literary, religious and historical narratives eventually manifest as image. Sources include poetry, religious epitaphs and inscriptions on public buildings. Whatever the source, Angela’s inspiration derives from her migrant family background, Italian being her first language. It is this intimate and personal connection that Angela uses to play with the ideas and architectures of language, storytelling and music.

We asked Angela a few questions:

Q. Work of art you would love to see IRL?

Rothko’s Chapel 

[Rothko’s Chapel, opened in 1971 (Huston Texas) is an interfaith sanctuary famous for its dedicated to art, architecture and the spiritual. It contains 14 paintings by Mark Rothko.]

Q. Favourite snack while creating?

Chocolate 

Q. Which living Australian artist do you admire?

Kathleen Paddoon (Bililuna Community)

Q. Favourite documentary?

Pompeii: Life And Death With Mary Beard (Ancient Rome Documentary)

Q. Which works of art would you include in your dream collection?

William Kentridge

Q. Loved it. Bought it! What was the last piece of art you bought?

Kate Knight drawing, Art’s Project Australia 

Q. Best advice from a teacher/mentor?

Go bigger! 

Q. What are you currently reading?

Italian Short Stories 1/Racconti Italiani 1: Parallel text

Q. Are you binge watching anything?

The Avengers 1960’s series

Q. Last thing you Googled?

La Giovenezza 1922 song lyric


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#LOVE IT? BUY IT!

See Angela Cavalieri’s work below