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Past Exhibitions

Encounters

Regular followers of Mrs Harris’ Shop will be aware that each year, we hold an exhibition that features regional South Australian artists.

Encounters features five terrific artists from the Hills and Fleurieu region. The fact that the region is not so far from Adelaide means that, with a short journey, you have extra opportunities to see and enjoy their work.

Rita Hall is well known to many people for her wonderful prints, as well as her painting.

In Encounters, we are able enjoy her bold collograph and watercolour unique state prints.  

If you’re a ‘shoe person’ (well, I was, some time ago!), then Rita will have you wishing you were young enough to wear such extravagances again! She tells me that she actually owned (and wore) all of them at some time!

Rita lives and works in Hahndorf, where you can visit her studio.

There are framed and un-framed versions of Rita’s shoes available.

Monika Morgenstern lives in Strathalbyn. She tantalises us with her glimpses of mystical. Her magical works of colour rely on light and space, and you, the viewer, with your perceptions. ‘Meditative’ comes to mind . . .

These beautiful digital pieces have evolved over time and are the result of many hours of work.

Porta . . . take a peek through the window and explore where it leads.

Peter McLachlan’s works are inspired by a love of and respect for the outdoors, capturing the spirit of place with an emphasis on felt space, storytelling, isolation and wonderment. 

Peter lives in beautiful Port Elliot, where his studio is a treasure trove of works in progress.

Riana Reserve (Tasmania) – it’s hard to choose which piece to show you – they’re all very different!

Catherine Hewitt lives in Aldgate and she recently spent some time on an artist residency in Curtin Springs.  

Her beautiful lamps transport the viewer right to the outback via their wonderful colours – the blue of the outback sky and red of the soil – and textures. The paper of the shades is hand-made recycled cotton rag paper, with some made from native grass.

Follow the tracks on this beautiful lamp by Catherine Hewitt.

Jorji Gardener lives in Bridgewater. She has long drawn on her botanical and horticultural background to create her prints, and to highlight our connection with nature.  It is her intent to facilitate understanding and appreciation of the beauty and importance of our native flora and fauna.

These pieces stem from time spent at one with the environs of the Pangarinda Botanic Gardens at Wellington.

Rose Mallee whispers, Jorji Gardener

The gallery is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 11am – 3pm, or by appointment. 

I’d thoroughly recommend a visit in person. There’s nothing quite like seeing the real thing!

Categories
Past Exhibitions

My story always starts with you . . . Donna Gordge

As you are no doubt aware, Mrs Harris’ Shop, like all other galleries, is closed until it is deemed safe to re-open.

Self portrait with leafy constraint

Because we know that art is essential to our well-being, and we want to support artists, we will do our best to bring exhibitions to you in the meantime.

The works will be shown on instagram, facebook and www.mrsharrisshop.com.au, and personalised tours of the works will be conducted via Zoom. Appointments for individual viewing are also available.

Our April exhibition, My story always starts with you, collage by artist Donna Gordge, will hang in the gallery as planned. 

Self portrait with imagined memories

Viewing is also possible through the windows of the gallery and the window display will change regularly for you to better see all the works.

My story always starts with you was born in the tragic world of domestic abuse. 

Every compliment I wouldn’t accept, Every choice I couldn’t make, Every breeze I wished was cooler, Every cloud I wished was whiter.

Donna Gordge is a beautiful person, a strong, creative woman and a survivor of domestic abuse. Through this exhibition, she is sending messages of awareness, resilience and hope. Don’t take for granted, that calm and peaceful façade you see, behind it might well lurk the horrors of isolation and control.

Every decision I paused to make, Every dream I should have followed, Every bridge I should have crossed, Every drop I ever wasted

In these current times of imposed but essential isolation of a different kind, perhaps we can begin to appreciate the hidden dangers and triggers for the silent agony for thousands of Australian families.

Every fear I ever faced, Every lie I ever told, Every idea I kept to myself, Every feeling I held too tight

Despite its roots, this exhibition’s gentle presence guides and encourages our awareness and appreciation of this ‘other pandemic’.

Every minute I took for myself, Every memory I didn’t trust, Every mile I walked alone, Every meal I ever burnt

There are over thirty works in the exhibition, and all but two are collages on watercolour paper (framed, 33 x 43cm). Crowning the works are two large paintings in acrylic and metal leaf on canvas (1 x1m).

Every night I couldn’t sleep, Every silence left un-filled, Every plant I ever moved, Every question I never answered

Should you see something in the gallery, here on the website, or on social media, that makes your heart sing, and that you would like to purchase or see in more detail, please contact the gallery and this can be arranged. 

Or, you can click on this link to buy direct from the artist’s website:http://www.stitchpaintburn.com/store/Exhibition-Artwork-c47759043

Every step I should have taken, Every skirt I wore too short, Every story I ever heard, Every smell I found too strong

Instagram: @mrsharrisshop

Facebook: MrsHarrisShop

Every time I spoke too softly, Every tear I couldn’t cry, Every thought I didn’t share, Every Time I smiled too brightly

Website: mrsharrisshop.com.au

Phone: 0452 614 613

Shame/blame, Implode/forbode, Remote/misquote, End/mend

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Past Exhibitions Uncategorized

Ethel Lindblom, printmaker

Bay of Fires

Several years ago, Ethel Lindblom wrote the following artist’s statement.

As an artist, my work is about time and place enriched by the challenges and experiences of life, family and beliefs that have been woven into a rich tapestry. 

Here, ideas and memories are expressed and reflected in form, colour and texture to create images that can be about things around me, my endeavours to capture the essence of the moment, or lost dreams, layered with emotion. 

Each reflection recalls another in the journey and reminds me that everything is a part of something that connects and embraces each one of us.

In 2000, 72 year old Ethel embarked on study for Certificates III and IV in Women’s Studies. This enabled her to proceed to studies in Art, which via various routes, resulted in her graduating, in 2007, as a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Applied Design, at the age of 79.

Three separate prints featuring the San Ranieri Gate in Pisa

What a fabulous role model!

Ethel was also a member of Bittondi Printmakers, where she was constantly on the look-out for new ways to extend her art form. She fearlessly experimented with her new-found skills, always striving for something special.

Tropical

This exhibition is a collection of such prints – experiments, challenges and explorations, the serious, the quirky. Following her death, at 90, just over a year ago, her family is keen to share Ethel’s legacy and to give others the opportunity to enjoy them too.

ballet shoes (inspired by the film ‘Red Shoes’)

During these times of uncertainty, we are keeping abreast of government guidelines in place to slow the spread of COVD-19.

To date, we have decided to keep Mrs Harris’ Shop open at its normal hours (11am – 3pm, Saturday and Sunday), albeit with some restrictions in place.

We have instigated extra cleaning, and these limits, and believe that the space is adequate to cope with this. 

Should you decide to visit, please adhere to the recommended protocols regarding distancing and hygiene, and limit group size to less than four people.

We will maintain a close watch on government advice and modify our procedures accordingly.

Ethel Lindblom’s works are on show until Sunday 29 March. 

un-named abstract

Should you care to purchase any of the pieces you see here, please contact Jo at Mrs Harris’ Shop. If the piece is still available, we can arrange remote purchase.

Categories
Past Exhibitions

Masquerade: Jo Headon

Artist Jo Headon tells stories with her paintings. She loves to use colour – and lots of it, light, and its effects, and to work with patterns that occur in her everyday environment.


Enlightenment

Our Fringe 2020 exhibition this year presents all of these things, plus more than a touch of fantasy. Her exhibition, Masquerade, explodes with colour from six magical oil paintings on canvas.

So, what’s the story behind it? Why did she create it? And, how did her thoughts manifest themselves in Masquerade?

To best answer these questions, pop in to Mrs Harris’ Shop for a chat with Jo.

Innocence

You’re invited in to special spaces to share with her characters, the intimate moment that Jo has captured. You’ll gain an insight into the workings of her mind as she creates her multiple-layered pieces of fantasy. There will be occasions where the starting point might appear so mundane as to be frustrating, but there’ll be others where you’ll wonder at her inspiration, creativity and realisation of these beautiful characters.

Firebird

Jo is a former student of Adelaide Central School of Art and has taught numerous students in a variety of art schools and classes. Masquerade is showing at Mrs Harris’ Shop, Jervois Street, Torrensville, until Sunday 8 March.

The Green Man

And, from the artist . . .

The interiors and spaces I create come with a memory or tale of when, where, and who.

They are reminders of my loves, places and treasures.

Talisman


I try to enmesh my stories in intoxicating prints, whether they be wallpaper, textiles or the patterns found in our natural environment. It’s by surrounding myself with these things I find inspiration for my work. I allow the viewer to be part of an intimate moment between the characters, an interloper in a personal space. 


Vital though colour is, it is just one of the components at play in my work. Light and pattern take their part. It is finding the balance between these different elements that brings life into the spaces.

 
I believe there is an energy and mood that surrounds every tone and shade of each colour and it is the exploration of these that intrigues and excites me.

The Illusionist


If I knew where I was going, I wouldn’t be going anywhere. 

Masquerade is on show until Sunday 8 March, 11am – 3pm, Saturdays and Sundays, or by appointment.

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Past Exhibitions

Vicki Hunter, printmaker

Welcome to the first exhibition of our 2020 program.

Mystical Islands

It’s a studio clearance of works by printmaker, the late Vicki Hunter, and gives us an opportunity to celebrate her life and work.

Calm waters

Vicki was a talented printmaker, with a host of other skills, notably in design (including fashion, textiles and jewellery). She was a meticulous practitioner and popular member of Bittondi Printmakers. In that capacity, she exhibited on several occasions at Mrs Harris’ Shop, showing thoughtful and often fun pieces.

Packed in, like sardines

Because of our ‘littleness’, we were unable to feature the full extent of Vicki’s work and chose to exhibit only her printmaking. It’s a terrific chance to secure a memory of Vicki or simply a beautiful piece by a talented artist.

There are both framed works, and a collection of un-framed pieces.

An un-named piece, but beautiful, all the same!

The exhibition is on show until Sunday 2 February, with the gallery open 11am – 3pm Saturdays and Sundays.

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Past Exhibitions

From me, to you. Helen Panagopoulos

Oh wow! It’s hard to believe that our last exhibition for 2019 is here!

It’s the perfect exhibition with which to celebrate the end of the year and all that goes with it. From me, to you is a delightful collection of works in mixed media by local Adelaide artist/designer, Helen Panagopoulos.

card to keep

The pieces beg exploration and their tactile nature invites you to touch, feel and enjoy! And, they have the gallery popping with colour!

Swirls (acrylic, fabric, beading on canvas)

Many of the wall pieces give more than a hint of the bubbly Helen, with easily recognised motifs and elements from her beloved Greek culture. Others feature a fabulous mix of textiles, paper or even ‘bits and pieces’ on canvas.

A little touch of Greece

Textiles are a favourite with Helen – and it shows. There is a generous collection of embellished wallets and covered notebooks – all multi-purpose and ripe for giving – perfect as special gifts or even Secret Santas.

covered notebook (fabric, beading)

Helen’s work is designed for longevity. Like the books and wallets that are designed for multiple iterations, she has created delightful mobile and fabric cards, each with room for a message and ready to become a décor item.

wallets (fabric, beading, braid)

And, Helen’s personalised pieces are legendary! Her ‘Secrets’ cushions (she is now working on cushion #85!) are loved and owned all over the world. They are available by special order, and feature favourite colours and special interests of the recipient. Pop in to order, or contact the gallery and I will send the order form.

Personalise a ‘Secrets’ cushion for your favourite person!

‘Meticulous’ is just one word that comes to mind on seeing Helen’s work. Make a visit to Mrs Harris’ Shop and come up with some words of your own. There’s so much to see, and wherever you look, there’s always more!

From me, to you is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 11am – 3pm until 15 December.

Thank you for your support of Mrs Harris’ Shop in 2019 – we look forward to seeing you again in 2020. And, we wish you the best of everything for Christmas and the new year.

Categories
Past Exhibitions

Nude: lino cuts from Colleen Morrow

Colleen Morrow is a well-known and much loved printmaker in Adelaide.

Over several decades, she has travelled widely, collecting and photographing textiles and crafts from what are often remote regions. Along with her other passion, plants and flowers, she has incorporated them into her extensive printmaking repertoire.

In a departure from these familiar and favourite subjects, Colleen has turned to the naked human form.

Nude with book

Nude is an exhibition of lino cuts, primarily black and white, and featuring several hand-coloured works.

Nude with slippers

Colleen says she found the portrayal of the human form in lino cuts to be a great challenge and much more labour intensive than she anticipated. Never one to ignore such a challenge, she set about building on her life drawing skills and improving her already considerable lino cutting skills.

Two iterations of Nude with cushion

The end result is a delightful exhibition of bold and beautiful prints.

Nudes at Maslins Beach

And, when you visit Nude, don’t miss the opportunity to check out Colleen’s journal of the exhibition to trace the development of the pieces. She is a truly inspiring artist – perhaps her journal will reveal some secrets!

detail from Colleen’s journal

Nude is showing at Mrs Harris’ Shop until 24 November. The gallery is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 11am – 3pm.

 

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Past Exhibitions

Beliefs: Ruth Galpin

Beliefs has been ten years in the making.

In 2009, textile artist, Ruth Galpin received a letter from Amnesty International, outlining the tragic story of Aisha, a thirteen year-old girl who had been raped.

extract from ‘My Daughter, Your Daughter’

Rather than be helped, she was stoned to death for committing adultery. The perpetrators of the rape were never punished.

Ruth was so moved by this appalling story that she felt compelled to respond, and so began a memorial to Aisha, which became My Daughter, Your Daughter.

Over time, she collected further ideas for works that touched her deeply. They became a series of works telling stories about children – but underlying and connecting them all, are the layers of beliefs.

She became intrigued by what people believed and what they might do in the name of their beliefs. And, she looked at how those actions triggered responding beliefs in herself.

Ruth concluded that beliefs – both good and bad – govern our lives. We often simply accept beliefs from our culture, our family, or our society, without examining them, or deciding for ourselves which among them, serve us well, or otherwise.

Do they express who we say we are, or who we want to be?

Ruth produced the resulting works formed into series: humanity, fragments and mending.

Humanity (three works) began with My Daughter, Your Daughter; others followed. They refer to children and are in the form of samplers, which in early times, formed a gentle, feminine pastime, often made by girls of Aisha’s age. They often marked events and included text and symbolic images.

Sisters United: dedicated to the thousands of women who knitted jumpers for AIDS babies, who were sent home wrapped in newspaper to keep them warm.

Fragments evolved from the Humanity series. The works are collages and contain fragments of embroidered samplers.

Early Bird, from the Fragments series

Mending is a series of ‘small mends’ that explores the notion of the ‘ripple effect’ and small miracles. They stemmed from the idea that it is impossible, as an individual, to mend, or right the wrongs of the world. But, to start a ripple effect and mend things closer to home is a sure way to work small miracles.

Reveal, from the Mending series, and below, Re-purpose

A further series of works, also collage and containing stitch and printmaking, examines Ruth’s belief in herself and her work.

Joy

I encourage you to visit this thoughtful and delightful exhibition. Ruth’s artistry shines through, with her tools of textiles and thread helping to create much beauty from what started with a sad and ugly tale.

Beliefs is showing on Saturdays and Sundays (11am – 3pm) until 27 October. Ruth will be in the gallery on most of those days, and happy to chat with you about her work.

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Past Exhibitions

Home: Cindy Durant and Niccy Pallant

Cindy Durant and Niccy Pallant, who hail from South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, welcome you to their Home.

Cindy lives on the remote far west coast, near the famous Cactus Beach – a place of inspiration and resilience. Marvel at the amazing work she produces in this harshest of environments.

Niccy lives what must be the complete opposite of such a life. She shares herself between beautiful Port Lincoln (with family and art), Adelaide (with work and art) and Morocco, where she has discovered a new dimension to life and art.

Cindy’s work in this exhibition includes exclusive hand-made silver jewellery, screen-printed glass panels, and screen-printed T-shirts.

Image featured on T-shirt

The T-shirts are inspired by her garden and the world-renown waves of Cactus Beach.

Wire, a series of spectacular wall panels, arose from coils of wire sitting on the ground, that have been part of her landscape over fifteen years. (Those with farming and rural connections will be able to relate to that!) The transformation from rusty wire to an astounding artwork is the result of fastidious and demanding work over many hours, days and weeks! Similarly, she has captured the sparkle of the ocean (her ‘happy place’) in a two-panelled glass piece called Ocean.

Just one configuration of the pieces that make up ‘Wire’. In this layout, around 2.2m long.

My advice to you . . . Don’t miss seeing these fabulous pieces.

A glimpse at a tiny selection of Cindy’s exclusive hand-crafted jewellery

Cindy’s hand-made silver jewellery has been inspired by three distinct settings: the ocean (and creatures of the ocean), her garden and her ‘original’ home in the US.

They include pendants and brooches (some of which double as the other), with the garden and ocean inspired pieces featuring enamel on copper, some with gemtones, in silver and stainless steel fittings. The home-inspired pieces, feature gemstones in intricate sterling silver settings and bear witness to the strong influence of nearby Mexico and its colourful culture on her home.

 

And while we’re working in threes, Niccy’s relief prints also fall into three categories.

Her ‘gift’ series reflects on the special people in her life who have given so much: the gift of breathing easy, divine intervention, compassion, awareness and time. Pay a visit to experience and appreciate the joy in these delightful prints.

Just three prints from the Gift series

Niccy’s fun Local Bouquets pay tribute to both Margaret Preston and Niccy’s grandmother, Margaret, also an artist. There’s another, Coastal Blooms of Eyre Peninsula, being added to the series. We can hope there will be others, too!

You won’t think of a Vegemite jar in the same way, ever again!

In the third series of Niccy’s work, she previews her new direction and next body of work. It reflects on two years in Morocco and a printmaking residency which, she says ‘had a profound effect personally and in (her art) practice.’  She worked with traditional craftsmen and gained a new insight into the special world of Islamic arts and crafts.

A compilation . . .

She says she is ‘fascinated with depictions of the spiritual and I am a spiritual craftswoman. You just can’t argue with joy.’

Home is on show at Mrs Harris’ Shop until Sunday 29 September, showcasing the work of two regional South Australian artists.

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Past Exhibitions

Journey Beyond: a celebration

Journey Beyond celebrates the work of older artists – particularly the fifteen who are sharing the walls of Mrs Harris’ Shop for SALA 2019.

Some of them are well established, others just forming as artists – you don’t have to be twenty to be an emerging artist!

I can’t begin to tell you how much these artists inspire me – for all sorts of reasons!

So, Journey Beyond is a celebration of older artists! There is no use-by date on creativity.

Since I opened the gallery in 2012, I’ve been inspired by the number of artists who are ‘emerging’ in their fifties or sixties. So often, they are women who have finally found time to follow their passion – they’ve worked a career (a sensible one, of course!), they’ve raised a family, perhaps even supported aged parents.

I see this in so many older people returning to study – and they choose art!

Isn’t is wonderful, that instead of retiring and checking in to God’s waiting room, older people, now free of the shackles of responsibility, have opportunities to ‘get a life’ and feed their passion?

I love that their accumulated and continuing experiences enrich and inform their artwork.

Meet the artists . . .

Kate Prescott retired as a psychologist and ‘re-wired’ as a set designer.

Set design for Twelfth Night

Reg Moore used to train pilots – now he makes fabulous prints!

Travelling beyond Grange

 

Jan Coveney lived overseas for fifteen years – and came back as a Hanji artist.

Hanji lamp

 

After many years as a public servant, Liz Butler took her love of the land to another level and makes beautiful art.

Intersections

Deborah Miller has maintained two life-streams for some considerable time – one as a dentist and one as an artist. Her fabulous print reflects her recent journey with breast cancer.

Journey Beyond

Angelika Erbsland taught art for many years, even taking art tour groups to Greece (how could she give that up?) She now dedicates more time to making her own art.

Evening Walk

Nadia Caon was a kindy director before studying at UniSA and is now a printmaker.

Celestial Body

Robyn Finlay lived way out in the back of beyond, and has now, thankfully, brought her work closer to us! I don’t want to sell her short, because she does so many things, but she does do the most amazing things with teabags!

Womb

Rob Johnston became well-known to many through his work travelling the state with Country Arts SA. He has long been highly regarded as a printmaker – generally one with a strong social conscience.

The Red Highway

Marek Herburt has always been an artist and has particularly made a name for himself with his most ‘out there’ use of colour. (Apologies for the photograph of Marek’s work, but we love the colour!)

Enchanted Place

I saw Anna Herburt’s icons many years ago in an exhibition and marvelled at them then. Who knew she would one day show them at Mrs Harris’ Shop. (At the risk of presenting them as one entity, Anna and Marek are a couple and both originate from Poland – but they came here at different times!)

St Nicolaus

In tandem with maintaining a role in family business and working a career Bev Southcott has been producing her evocative photography for some time now. She also curates exhibitions and is a winner of several awards.

The Soon Alien Sea (New Beginnings) detail

Geoff Gibbons has been involved in the art world forever – he’s an art historian, respected teacher and highly regarded printmaker.

Sentinel

Dagny Strand is another who has been making art for a long time – and like many artists, has worked at all sorts of jobs to support her habit! I’m sure she has raised the art bar in the South East, where she lives in Penola.

A young lady named Brewster

The well-travelled Colleen Morrow has lived an amazing life. She was travelling to all sorts of places before it was trendy! Textiles have played a major role in her life and work – and of course, spilled over into her art. Take a look sometime if you can, at her prints featuring textiles and life from places like Afghanistan – they ooze richness and joy!

Dragon fruit

Journey Beyond is open on Saturdays and Sundays during SALA. It closes on 25 August.