Gallery Guava: Meet the Artists
“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.”
― Paul Cezanne
The connection between emotion and art can be found in every corner of Gallery Guava. It is woven in to the textiles, printed on the fabrics, etched into the jewellery, baked into the ceramics and glassware, and poured on to the papers and canvasses of each and every artwork.
Gallery Guava is a renowned gallery space offering the best of Norfolk Island’s creative talent. Owner artists Tracey Yager and Sue Draper have been curating this showcase gallery for local artists for over 20 years and there is no doubt that the wonderful selection of featured artists that exhibit their work here truly love their island home.
The gallery is located at the Cyclorama complex on Queen Elizabeth Avenue, and is also the gateway for the world-class Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama visitor attraction – a magnificent 360 degree painting that is a respectful telling of the Bounty saga. Both the gallery and the Cyclorama have unquestionably earned their reputation as essential visitor experiences, and they continue to be an important feature on any Norfolk Island itinerary.
When an artist puts their heart and soul into a piece of art it can create a connection between the viewer and artist that is undeniable. Over the following pages, meet some of the artists you will find at Gallery Guava, and then make sure you head to the gallery to discover that connection for yourself.
Gallery Guava: Meet the Artists
SUE DRAPER
Sue Draper has lived on Norfolk since the ‘90s, creating realistic scenic artworks and still life paintings and has more recently been enjoying working with ceramics. “I’ve always loved beachcombing and those collected beach items often appear in my paintings and now on the surfaces of my ceramics”.
TRACEY YAGER
Born and raised on Norfolk Island and a descendant of the Bounty mutineers, Tracey has spent most of her life on the island and has been creating art full-time for over 30 years. Working predominantly as a painter, using watercolour and acrylics, her artworks often feature wooden boats. Tracey also enjoys using recycled timber in her art pieces and her love of nature shines through in her creations.
ALISON RYVES
Alison moved to Norfolk 45 years ago, where she and her husband Steve have been creating ceramics at the Cottage Pottery at Anson Bay for decades. In her kiln she also makes beautiful jewellery, both on fine porcelain and with dichroic glass, a special type of glass which reflects more than one colour.
JIL MAULSHAGEN
Originally from Germany, Jil moved to Norfolk a few years ago and creates her jewellery using polymer clay in vibrant colours. “I love to make jewellery because of the endless possibilities to express my creative passions – and to help others express their vibrant funkiness through my jewellery.”
CARYN HARRINGTON (EVANS)
Caryn is a descendant of the Bounty mutineers and lives on Norfolk Island. She has taught visual art in schools and is involved in arts and culture projects in the community. Sea creatures and the beach are never far away in Caryn’s artwork. Her strong connection to the natural environment, particularly the ocean, is evident in the subjects and colours of her prints. Caryn loves working in a variety of media.
KES HARPER
New to the island this year, Kes brings with her a wealth of experience in the art world and her jewellery making skills. Originally from New Zealand and then Australia, Kes hand-makes jewellery and art pieces from rescued and reclaimed objects like olive oil and food tins.
MARGARITA SAMPSON
Margarita is known in Sydney for her large sculptural artworks exhibited in ‘Sculpture by the Sea’, on Norfolk Island her artwork is on a much smaller scale. She creates beautiful jewellery in silver and semi-precious stones. Life lived on Norfolk can be seen represented in her beautifully crafted pieces, which often have the influence of shells, weaving and the natural environment in them with the colours of Norfolk ever-present.
DALE HOWE
Dale’s family has lived on Norfolk Island for over 60 years and Dale has been living on island full-time for over 16.
Dale took up art in the last 20 years and has followed her passion in watercolour botanicals, particularly focusing on flowers and birds and specialising in the endemic and local species. Her paintings are a beautiful observation of the natural world.
MERCEDES GRANT
A young upcoming designer, Mercedes was born on Norfolk Island and is a descendant of the Bounty mutineers. Her stunning modern artworks are a reflection of her life growing up on the island and the connection to her Polynesian heritage.
_____
Gallery Guava is located on Queen Elizabeth Avenue. Phone +6723 23871 visit online: www.norfolkcyclorama.com
____
