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 Wagga Wagga 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
Fragments - Bathers' Pavilion, May & June 2023
Floral Ink, Wentworth Falls 2022
The Sum of Us - Primrose Park Gallery, Cremorne 2012
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Mosman Art Walk 2022, 2021
Landship Gallery - Headland Artists 2022, 2018
Hornsby Art Prize 2019, 2016
Hunters Hill Art Prize 2016, 2018
Lindfield Art Show 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Sense of Place Exhibition, North Sydney Council Chambers
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, 1997
Seasons Gallery, North Sydney
Old Brewery Gallery, Wagga Wagga
Finalist 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 Hunters Hill Art Prize
Finalist 2019, 2016 Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist 2016 Hunters Hill Art Prize
2nd Prize Mixed Media 2015, Ku-ring-gai Art Society
Finalist North Sydney Art Prize 2013 After the fire purchased by North Sydney Council for
Stanton Library Collection
Residency 2012 - Primrose Park Artists Studio Program
3rd Prize Drawing 2011 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
First Prize Pastel 2008 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Highly Commended 2006 Drummoyne Art Awards
Silver Jubilee Cup 2005 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Commended Drawing 2004 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Highly Commended 2003 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Commended 2001 Drummoyne Art Awards
First Prize Mixed Media 2000 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
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 Wagga Wagga 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
Fragments - Bathers' Pavilion, May & June 2023
Floral Ink, Wentworth Falls 2022
The Sum of Us - Primrose Park Gallery, Cremorne 2012
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Mosman Art Walk 2022, 2021
Landship Gallery - Headland Artists 2022, 2018
Hornsby Art Prize 2019, 2016
Hunters Hill Art Prize 2016, 2018
Lindfield Art Show 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
Sense of Place Exhibition, North Sydney Council Chambers
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, 1997
Seasons Gallery, North Sydney
Old Brewery Gallery, Wagga Wagga
Finalist 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 Hunters Hill Art Prize
Finalist 2019, 2016 Hornsby Art Prize
Finalist 2016 Hunters Hill Art Prize
2nd Prize Mixed Media 2015, Ku-ring-gai Art Society
Finalist North Sydney Art Prize 2013 After the fire purchased by North Sydney Council for
Stanton Library Collection
Residency 2012 - Primrose Park Artists Studio Program
3rd Prize Drawing 2011 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
First Prize Pastel 2008 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Highly Commended 2006 Drummoyne Art Awards
Silver Jubilee Cup 2005 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Commended Drawing 2004 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Highly Commended 2003 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Commended 2001 Drummoyne Art Awards
First Prize Mixed Media 2000 Ku-ring-gai Art Society Awards
Highly Commended Bega Art Awards
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