Judi MacLaren uses the nest as a vehicle and metaphor to explore the strength and frailty of life. Bird-Nests epitomise home in its most natural, intricate form. Their fragile construction recalls ‘nursery rhyme’ warnings of impermanence and exposure to the elements threatening life itself. Nonetheless, these seemingly ephemeral structures endure to provide shelter, refuge, a place to hide, ‘a home’. The nest provides a safe haven for its inhabitants, somewhere to be nurtured and begin life.
By conflating her own experience of life and home with the nest motif, Judi has created a narrative that invites the viewer in to a private world. There are glimpses of joy and uncertainty, fleeting moments - familiar to us all - when decisions are quickly made but interminably pondered - we build our nests bit by bit, not knowing what lies ahead. The nest is a metaphor for life - traces of experience; events, home, family and freedom are intertwined.
By conflating her own experience of life and home with the nest motif, Judi has created a narrative that invites the viewer in to a private world. There are glimpses of joy and uncertainty, fleeting moments - familiar to us all - when decisions are quickly made but interminably pondered - we build our nests bit by bit, not knowing what lies ahead. The nest is a metaphor for life - traces of experience; events, home, family and freedom are intertwined.
JUDI MACLAREN
Born in Sydney.
After finishing secondary school studied painting and drawing with Mr Henry Justelius at his Crows Nest studio.
Returning to Sydney after living in WaggaWagga gained Certificate in Drawing at Highest Pass at Meadowbank TAFE followed by Certificate in Studio Ceramics at Hornsby TAFE. Completed Certificate in Advanced Creative Painting at Meadowbank TAFE and while at Meadowbank her work Bush Forms was selected as a semi-finalist in the TAFE NSW Invitational Arts & Design Prize. Her work was also selected to be presented to Mr Sultan Suqr Alsaidi, Deputy Minister for Education and Youth, United Arab Emirates as the Australian Delegations official gift.
Judi is an exhibiting member of Ku-Ring-Gai Art Society.
EXHIBITIONS
The Sum of Us
Primrose Park Gallery, Cremorne 2012
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Landship Gallery - Headland Artists 2018
Hornsby Art Prize 2016
Hunters Hill Art Prize 2016, 2018
Lindfield Art Show 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Bird Art in the Park, Landship Gallery 2014
Finding the Form, Ewart Gallery, Willoughby 2014
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery
Workshop Art Centre - Willoughby
Hornsby Gallery
ASN Gallery, The Rocks, Sydney
Ku-ring-gai Art Centre, Roseville 1998
Seasons Gallery, North Sydney
Ku-ring-gai Art Centre, Roseville 1997
Old Brewery Gallery, Wagga Wagga
Finalist 2018 Hunters Hill Art Prize
Finalist 2016 Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist 2016 Hunters Hill Art Prize
2nd Prize Ku-ring-gai Art Society Mixed Media 2015
Finalist 2015 Hunters Hill Art Prize
Finalist 2014 Hunters Hill Art Prize
Finalist 2013 North Sydney Art Prize After the fire purchased by North Sydney Council for Stanton Library Collection
Residency 2012 - Primrose Park Artists Studio Program
3rd Prize - Drawing - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2011
First Prize - Pastel - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2008
Highly Commended - Drummoyne Art Awards 2006
Silver Jubilee Cup - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2005
Commended - Drawing Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2004
Highly Commended - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2003
Commended - Drummoyne Art Awards 2001
First Prize - Mixed Media - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2000
Highly Commended - Bega Art Awards
Born in Sydney.
After finishing secondary school studied painting and drawing with Mr Henry Justelius at his Crows Nest studio.
Returning to Sydney after living in WaggaWagga gained Certificate in Drawing at Highest Pass at Meadowbank TAFE followed by Certificate in Studio Ceramics at Hornsby TAFE. Completed Certificate in Advanced Creative Painting at Meadowbank TAFE and while at Meadowbank her work Bush Forms was selected as a semi-finalist in the TAFE NSW Invitational Arts & Design Prize. Her work was also selected to be presented to Mr Sultan Suqr Alsaidi, Deputy Minister for Education and Youth, United Arab Emirates as the Australian Delegations official gift.
Judi is an exhibiting member of Ku-Ring-Gai Art Society.
EXHIBITIONS
The Sum of Us
Primrose Park Gallery, Cremorne 2012
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Landship Gallery - Headland Artists 2018
Hornsby Art Prize 2016
Hunters Hill Art Prize 2016, 2018
Lindfield Art Show 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Bird Art in the Park, Landship Gallery 2014
Finding the Form, Ewart Gallery, Willoughby 2014
Artists of Mosman: 2088, Mosman Art Gallery
Workshop Art Centre - Willoughby
Hornsby Gallery
ASN Gallery, The Rocks, Sydney
Ku-ring-gai Art Centre, Roseville 1998
Seasons Gallery, North Sydney
Ku-ring-gai Art Centre, Roseville 1997
Old Brewery Gallery, Wagga Wagga
Finalist 2018 Hunters Hill Art Prize
Finalist 2016 Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist 2016 Hunters Hill Art Prize
2nd Prize Ku-ring-gai Art Society Mixed Media 2015
Finalist 2015 Hunters Hill Art Prize
Finalist 2014 Hunters Hill Art Prize
Finalist 2013 North Sydney Art Prize After the fire purchased by North Sydney Council for Stanton Library Collection
Residency 2012 - Primrose Park Artists Studio Program
3rd Prize - Drawing - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2011
First Prize - Pastel - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2008
Highly Commended - Drummoyne Art Awards 2006
Silver Jubilee Cup - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2005
Commended - Drawing Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2004
Highly Commended - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2003
Commended - Drummoyne Art Awards 2001
First Prize - Mixed Media - Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards 2000
Highly Commended - Bega Art Awards
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