BIO:
I was a visual arts teacher for 30 years. I was trained to specialize in painting. I first became interested in mosaics when working in my school with an Indigenous artist creating four large mosaics, then Gaudi’s works in Barcelona also inspired me. I have been a full-time artist for the last 12 years. I have been commissioned to create large murals for numerous public buildings, schools, kindergartens and in private settings.
I have been very privileged to have many exhibitions that have included my mosaics, paintings, ceramics and sculptures and won numerous awards. In 2019 I was invited to be an artist in Residence in Chateau Orquevaux, France. This experience further inspired my love of the “Impressionist” style, strongly influenced by the works of Monet.
I am inspired by the properties of water and light and its magical, elusive nature. I believe water, sky and nature take our mind to that “Spiritual” place. We can ground our mind for healing, and peaceful meditation. I like to push abstraction and experimentation when creating my work. I create “Hybrid” landscapes that are bridge between representation and abstraction, the recognisable is filtered and transformed. My works are designed to be contemplative and reflective. My mosaic work is now predominately made of my own ceramic tesserae where I can shape and colour to meet my own design and effect.
I have been involved in MAANZ since 2011. I am currently working with Helen Bodycomb and Barb Uhlenbruch to represent Victoria again.
PRESENTATION: ‘Avant-garde’.
‘Torn’ (sideview) – Bev Plowman
Inspiration comes from all around us. It can be nature, politics, science, other artists, cultures, objects, our own environment and many more things. For me, my personality means I love to experiment and push myself to explore materials and ideas. Many artists who also experiment, have inspired me to keep evolving to revolutionise my own art practice.
Art throughout the ages has evolved through many artists who have revolutionised a practice or use of materials. I’m going to discuss and share some amazing artists who have changed what we think about art.
Mosaic is no longer a craft but a worthy form of art in a world where more and more mediums are now accepted.
As mosaic artists we need to push our practice in more ways, to be avant-garde and become accepted in conventional galleries across the world.