One of the artists exhibiting in Hawkesbury Now 2024 has brought her passion for recycling into her art.
Using found objects in art isn't new but for Hadijah Munting of Ferry Artists, a gift of a necklace using recycled coffee pods was the inspiration for a new approach to her art, coffee pod mosaics.
After doing some research, Hadijah discovered that only between 8-30% of coffee pods are recycled.
"Everything I do is so integral to my local surroundings and I am heavily influenced by the idea of saying no to land fill, one artwork at a time," says Hadijah.
After sourcing the used pods from a local school, she washes and dries them, then cuts the tops and sides, making them flat. This allows her to cut out small shapes. The process to creating these works is strenuous and often time consuming. Ironically, Hadijah is not a coffee drinker, preferring traditional tea in a pot, served in a cup and saucer.
"The colours of the coffee pods are quite extraordinary. I'm often asked if I paint them. Gosh. No way. They come fully decorated with different patterns and colours."
Among her works featured in Hawkesbury Now until December 1, is a spectacular King Protea in the work Autumn. The flower pops out from the background with its shiny coffee pod textures which Hadijah has cut and glued, piece by piece, to bring the flower to life.
She is inspired by the local bush and animals which can be seen throughout her work. "It's magic to live in a place that offers so much. Not a single sight or sound do I take for granted. Whether I am doing a bird count or just bush walking or enjoying the change of seasons. Now spring is here we have the Koels migrating once a year from either Papua New Guinea or Indonesia singing their hearts out. What's not to like about our backyards."
Hawkesbury Now 2024 features over 100 works in a wide range of art mediums at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery until Sunday 1 December.
Local participants include Ferry Artists, Friends of Hawkesbury Regional Gallery Art Collection (FOHAC), Hawkesbury Artists & Artisans Trail, Hawkesbury Community Arts Workshop, Macquarie Towns Art Society, Piggery Lane Artists, The Hawkesbury Remakery and TAFE NSW Western Sydney Creative Centres/Kingswood.
During the exhibition, there will be an immersive Maker Space featuring free drop-in craft activities for all ages. The Maker Space for Hawkesbury Now is inspired by the Blue Mountains that surround the Hawkesbury region. Visitors are invited to create a colourful mountain collage using torn paper. The Maker Space is also a designated Quiet Space from 12pm – 2pm on weekdays.
On Saturday, 23 November, there will be an artist talk and creative drawing exercises with artists Dan Kyle, Julie Simmons and Mellissa Read-Devine.
Hawkesbury Now 2024 exhibition and Maker Space drop-in craft
Dates: Now till Sun 1 Dec 2024
Times: 10am – 4pm Mon, Wed, Fri; 10am – 3pm weekends
Cost: Free
Where: Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, 300 George Street, Windsor.
Artist Talks & A Little Art Making
Saturday, 23 November 11am – 2pm
Join artist Dan Kyle and Hawkesbury Now artists Julie Simmons and Mellissa Read-Devine for a conversation about their artwork in this year's Hawkesbury Now. You are invited to join the conversation and bring along your sketchbook as Julie and Mellissa lead you in some creative drawing exercises, while enjoying some drinks and nibbles. Free with tickets through Eventbrite.
