Photo Jeff Dawson
For some people art is made for the delight in creating, and this is definitely the case for artist Di Calder who, now in her 70s, is having her first exhibition.
‘My Mum (Di) has never had an exhibition of her work,’ explained her daughter, who is also an artist, Tiffany Kingston.
‘Her two-week solo show at Nature Co Gallery is not just about sharing her art with the community but more importantly this is my love note to my mum,’ Tiffany explained.
‘Over 150 artworks lay hidden away from the eyes of the world. Mum has been an artist all her life for purely the purpose of creating her own world of kindness and beauty through her love of animals and mythology. Stepping into her studio is like her version of Narnia.
‘My mum had a very difficult childhood and her art became her sanctuary. Her mental resilience was formed through her ability to use creativity as a happy place.’
Di’s exhibition runs from 11-25 February at Nature Co Gallery at 2-3 Park Street, Brunswick Heads with a special artist meet and greet at 11am on Saturday, 14 February.
Inspired by the unexpected
‘Mum’s art is not just painting on canvas, it is mixed media textile relief from her love of upcycling found objects and fabrics in op shops,’ said Tiffany.
‘Her passion for fabrics started as a child when she would receive pocket money. Instead of lollies she purchased remnant offcuts from the local fabric shops. These days her artwork can be inspired by an unexpected find in an op shop such as an old faux fur vest which then becomes the body of a moth with sewn antique beads and lace. Her 1.5m x 1.5m polar bear artwork was an old Indian Dhurrie rug. Her 3D rabbit people and owls are made with fabric formed around milk containers and cardboard tubes.
‘Her collection is endless and the artwork I will have on show is just a small portion of what I can fit into our gallery.’
The array of artworks will include works hung on walls, 3D fabric sculptured fantasia creatures and animals, totem poles, and a collection of her art journals of collages.
‘This exhibition will introduce to the community that art is beyond age and beyond the unexpected of what art truly means to our existence,’ said Tiffany.
‘Only a handful of artworks are for sale as my mum does not create to sell. She creates purely for the joy.’
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