Matt Shlian

Yet another paper artist I've stumbled across which has inspired me is Matt Shlian. And what a find! 

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Matt says about his work-  "As a paper engineer my work is rooted in print media, book arts and commercial design. Beginning with an initial fold, a single action causes a transfer of energy to subsequent folds, which ultimately manifest in drawings and three dimensional forms.  I use my engineering skills to create kinetic sculpture which have lead to collaborations with scientists at the University of Michigan.  We work on the nanoscale, translating paper structures to micro origami.  Our investigations extend to visualizing cellular division and solar cell development.  Researchers see paper engineering as a metaphor for scientific principals; I see their inquiry as basis for artistic inspiration.  In my studio I am a collaborator, explorer and inventor.  I begin with a system of folding and at a particular moment the material takes over.  Guided by wonder, my work is made because I cannot visualize its final realization; in this way I come to understanding through curiosity."

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More from BRAG

Photographer and friend Felicity Jenkins gave me the pictures she took at the opening of my exhibition at Bathurst Regional Gallery on the 3rd December 2010. A big thank you to her for being official photographer for the evening and milling about the gallery shooting frames while I managed to get through the blur of proceedings and meet new people sipping on champagne delivered to me by the ever hospitable Helen Dunne of Bathurst Regional Gallery. Helen also interviewed me some months ago for the BRAG newsletter and is a pleasant recent addition to gallery staff. 

Gallery Director Richard Perram

Gallery Director Richard Perram

The evening went really well and we were equally impressed with the accommodation in Bathurst. Several of us stayed at a historic Warehouse that had been transformed into a guesthouse. The owners are very friendly and the entire floor was booked out by friends and relatives that came to see the exhibition. 

​Richard Perram & I

​Richard Perram & I

On another note, I had an unexpected visit from a buyer of several of my artworks yesterday who arrived on my doorstep with a bag of very beautiful seed pods which he had gathered from a trip into Megalong Valley Thanks David Coleby!). I am so appreciative of the gesture and welcome anyone to send me gum nuts, seed pods, etc whenever they like! Thanks also to Sandra Winkworth for being my supplier of used tea bags for my work!

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The Fire Trail

We have recently moved in to a new property in Wentworth Falls which is adjacent to the national park. This morning I woke at some hideous hour before sunrise and waited until there was enough light to venture down the fire trail next to the house.  There is a rusted car decaying in the bush and I am curious to know how it ended up on such a rough trail. Nonetheless, there is something quite beautiful about the colour of rust and the remnants of car that refuse to give up to the elements, like the door handles. 

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If I were an overly keen botanist or had the memory to recite the variety of plants along the trail, I'd be a happy man. I would like to take someone who knows the name of the plants one day so I can educate myself about the new surrounds (hint hint David!). This fire trail is also where we take the dogs first  thing in the morning. Many other canines have already paved the way in the only way they know how, so my dogs are beside themselves with new smells and have added their own! This afternoon, we have erected a sun shade on the patio in a very amateurish fashion. Time will tell if it will withstand the wind and the elements. The shade cloth makes sitting outside more pleasant for us and our furry family. We get views of Mount Hay, even if a little obstructed by eucalyptus trees. 

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This morning I also filled a ezy-bin skip with the rubbish which traveled with us from the old place in Katoomba. It did not take too long to fill, and now I have a space in the garage to set up a new studio. I am looking forward to the new studio space and having had a significant purge of old materials, artworks and clutter,  it will make way for some new work.

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Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

Friday 3rd December was the opening of my exhibition title 'Second Nature' at Bathurst Regional Gallery (BRAG). I have been anticipating this show for quite some time and the day arrived not without a few hiccups. I received a call moments before leaving my home in Wentworth Falls from BRAG gallery director Richard Perram to inform me that a major storm had permeated the section of the gallery my work was hung. Thanks to the staff of BRAG, my work was whipped from the walls and rehung in another part of the gallery. It could be seen as a positive instead of a negative thing, because the rehang looked fantastic. I am so grateful to friends that travelled out west to support me. I'd like to thank Maxx Liong,  Felicity Jenkins, Sandra Winkworth (See her blog HERE), Peter Shepherd, Lindsay Duncan (See his blog HERE), Tim Millett, Michael Jackson, Jason Clarke, Jaime Quezada, Geoff White, Sanae, Marj Barnwell, Mary Blackwell, Gordon Fleet, David Oon, Craig Loxley and Leanne Knight. These friends and family joined me to celebrate the exhibition afterwards at 'The Church Bar' wood-fired pizza restaurant. 

Opening the same evening in the gallery was the paintings of Graham Lupp 'Building Faith' and photography by Peter Adams titled 'Ore what!' a photographic show documenting 60 Hill End residents. All these exhibitions run until the 23rd January 2011 at the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, 70-78 Keppel Street Bathurst, NSW.

After a hectic month of finalising the last of the works for the show, moving house from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls, and fitting in life's other responsibilities, I am ready to put my feet up for a week or two and think about what I'd like to accomplish in 2011. The new year will soon be here and I am looking forward to setting up my new studio then a trip over seas to Malaysia and India. Fodder and inspiration for new work I hope!

I wish my blog followers and friends a very happy and joyful Christmas season!