Artist Residency at Shop Gal by Tara Whalley

About the Residency 

In this artist residency Georgia has noticed the potential in found vintage fabrics, here they are reimagined into artworks with whimsical paintings and appliqué techniques. The theme of using the old to create something continues into Georgia’s tools. Experimenting with her Grandmother's 30+ year old sewing machine has lead her to create interesting and dynamic textile works of art. 

Inspired by gothic art and triptychs, Georgia expanded on the art style she has been developing through her fashion brand over the last year.

The animals at the focal points of each artwork are ones that evoke a feeling of empathy, vulnerability and an instinct to protect.

The body of work explores ideas of emotional safety in a new place, allowing yourself to be vulnerable to others in order to grow, and self expression despite feelings of doubt. 

Inspirited by two years of exploring Melbourne after moving from Sydney, Georgia has drawn inspiration from the Gothic art and architecture that makes up the city’s iconic look.

The Before

My initial thoughts for this artist residency opportunity were on how I can expand on the art I have been creating on clothing and translate that into a body of work. I was excited to explore my art style and what inspires me artistically separately from what inspires me in a fashion sense. I began by researching gothic art and triptych's followed by the architecture in the city of Melbourne. I found that there is a large amount of gothic architecture in the city, and I spent some time photographing it myself for inspiration. 

Gothic art came up again when looking for the right animals. Rabbits are often seen in gothic and medieval artworks and in the borders of manuscripts.  Whimsical and often bizarre looking by today’s standards, I used these as inspiration as I explored my art style. Here I found the right balance of realistic and illustrative. It was exciting to focus on story telling and expression, and not be tied to what I think would be most marketable. 

The During

As the residency went on I added more animals, ones often seen as prey or which symbolise sensitivity and love. I was drawn to this idea of vulnerability, which we see in rabbits, kittens and deer. 

Being authentic requires vulnerability. Through this residency I've learnt that a lot of my thoughts and actions over the last few years have revolved around vulnerability. Moving to a new city where I knew no one. Leaving a long term “dream” career and starting a small business. becoming a new artist and saying yes to opportunities. expressing my authentic self to others. These are some of many moments or movements that have culminated in me feeling open and ready to be known Most authentically. 

The After

Prey animals have always reminded me of anxiety and stress. Like a deer in the headlights. Fight, flight or freeze. Seeing a rabbit darting away when it hears something I can’t. But these are not the animals I have painted. These animals on the wall know what it is to finally let your guard down. To be in comfort and safety. To be authentically yourself despite the potential of rejection. To trust yourself and those you surround yourself with completely. That is what I have wanted to express in this body of work, and is what I want to take from this project and carry with me as I continue developing as an artist and a person.

The Exhibition Opening Night

I cannot thank everyone who attended the evening enough! It was a beautiful evening of meeting so many creative people, sharing ideas and stories. I was excited to have a collection of upcycled shirts inspired by the artworks also reveled on the night. 

In the studio space I was able to show more of the art making process from the residency. On display were my digital drafts on the wall. On the table was my process diary, documenting the ideas, brainstorms, experiments and mistakes that made up the journey to the final product. Beside the book was my "test fabric" where I practiced various stitches, textile manipulation techniques and painting ideas. 

Set up was also an invitation for the attendees to reflect on the ideas brought forth by the paintings. The hand painted prompt invited viewers to reflect on what allows them to express vulnerability in their lives, and share this by documenting their answer and placing it in an heirloom wooden box. Many of the answers were earnest, some more humorous, which make sense as many of us use humour as a way to soften our attempts at vulnerability. 

Tara Whalley 

Georgia Sparks, Designer of Funke Studios, has been creating here for two months. She's been a hard worker - wasting no time - working diligently and joyfully stroke by stroke to build her artwork collection. She's been a delight to have in the space. Her work makes you feel like living in Melbourne is a fairytale.
She takes everyday shirts and fabrics that might have otherwise been overlooked and brings out the beauty in them.

Her work feels like a personal diary, you see her moments of reflection and what she notices in her universe from beautiful architecture in Melbourne to forgotten lace trim.
Georgia finds the folklore amongst everyday moments. She doesn't just see a building, she sees creatures and beauty. She doesn't just see a shirt, she brings it to life with femininity and wonder.
It's been a joy to watch this artwork and clothing collection unfold, the shirts are all one of a kind and hand painted.