Zara Collins

Australian Ceramics Open Studio 2020

Please join me in my modest home studio for the chance to have a peek behind the scenes. Grab a bargain on the seconds and samples table and peruse a collection of new stoneware tableware, vases and porcelain jewellery. Relax on the deck and enjoy a grazing platter and chat all things ceramic. All welcome. 

This is a Covid safe event - visitors will be required to sign in and adhere to social distancing protocols.

www.australianceramics.com/

Sydney Craft Week 2020: Solo Exhibition

Trying to make sense of the extraordinary force of nature, the fragility of existence and a year of unprecedented upheaval internationally – Zara's ninth solo exhibition is a search for mindfulness in uncertain times. 

Lost in thought is focused on the horizon - the apparent line that separates earth from sky, the line dividing all that is invisible into two categories: what is earthly and what is not. Through paintings and ceramic vessels she creates a place for the eye to rest and the mind to contemplate the moment. 

www.gaffa.com.au/
sydneycraftweek.com/
australiandesigncentre.com/

Shout out to ADC

I just wanted to thank the team at Australian Design Centre for including me in the recent 150 campaign. This has been a challenging year but the 150 campaign helped me to connect with craft lovers, friends and collectors who wanted to show their continued support and to help the Australian craft sector to continue to thrive. 

One of my commissions on its way to Melbourne.

australiandesigncentre.com

Lost in Thought - solo exhibition

Trying to make sense of the extraordinary force of nature, the fragility of existence and a year of unprecedented upheaval internationally – Zara's ninth solo exhibition is a search for mindfulness in uncertain times. 

Lost in thought is focused on the horizon - the apparent line that separates earth from sky, the line dividing all that is invisible into two categories: what is earthly and what is not.

Through a collection of paintings, jewellery and ceramic vessels she creates a place for the eye to rest and the mind to contemplate the moment. 

gaffa.com.au/exhibition/lost-in-thought

Lost in Thought

Exhibition installation shot featuring small encaustic paintings, stoneware tableware, porcelain jewellery and ikebana inspired floral arrangements.

Print Paper Press

5-8 December 2019

Studio W
Bourke Street
Woolloomoolloo

Print Paper Press Exhibition

The Print Paper Press exhibition showcased the diversity of artistic practise within the Creative Arts team at Moriah College. Believing we must practise what we preach. Artists included Michael  Clark, Zara Collins, Rosie Hanrahan, Karen O'Connor, Ange Swadling and Jodie Swan.

Studio W
Bourke Street
Woolloomoolloo

Postcards from the Edge 2019

Looking forward to exhibiting some new pieces made specifically for Wollongong Art Gallery's Postcards from the Edge exhibition. Nice to be back in the Illawarra and great to be involved in a local artists' showcase.

Open 16 November 2019 - 2 February 2020

wollongongartgallery.com/exhibitions

Postcards from the Edge 2019

Postcards from the Edge exhibition Wollongong Art Gallery

Open 16 November 2019 - 2 February 2020

wollongongartgallery.com/exhibitions



Time & Place exhibition

Time & Place is a major exhibition by Zuza Zochowski and Zara Collins inspired by the Illawarra Region, it's unique history, quirky suburbs and spectacular coast line.

Exhibition Opening: Saturday 13 July 2-4pm
Open: 13 - 23 July 2019
Hazelhurst Regional Gallery

www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Hazelhurst
www.zuzazochowski.com/artwork

Time & Place exhibition

Installation shot at Hazelhurst Arts Centre
July 2019

Bundanon Trust Residency

Matina Bourmas and I were resident artists at Bundanon Trust in April/May 2019, sharing the newly established jewellery studio for a period of two weeks. In addition to creating new jewellery, I was developing new work for the exhibition Time & Place with Zuza Zochowski at Hazelhurst Art Centre in July/August 2019.

bundanon.com.au/residencies/
sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Community/Hazelhurst

 


Rock Paper Scissors group exhibition

Rock Paper Scissors exhibition at Studio W in Woolloomooloo brought together five diverse artists - Zara Collins, Karen O'Connor, Angela Swadling, Irene Whitton & Sam Whittingham. Featuring ceramics, photography, painting and mixed-media works.

25-28 October 2018
Studio W


Rock Paper Scissors

Time & Place, wooden board, acrylic paint, oil sticks, wax, pigment.

Recent commissions - works on paper

I was recently invited to create two private commissions from the TEXTile Study Series. The paper-based artworks using recycled foreign newsprint usually focus on the rich history of traditional textile design from South East Asia, India or Korea. However, two separate clients have requested pieces celebrating traditional Latvian textile designs. Thank you to my globe trotting friends who brought back newspapers from all over the world for me! It has been a pleasure to work with my own Eastern European cultural heritage and this process has triggered many memories of my grand parent's home. 

Art & About 2013

The We heART librarians exhibition at Surry Hills Library, showcases the creative library folk who work for City of Sydney. Continuing the Art & About mantra to show art in unusual places, this exhibition has something for everyone: featuring jewellery, works on paper, photography & textiles. On display from 
20 September to 20 October 2013

For program of events and exhibitions: http://www.artandabout.com.au

North QLD Biennial Ceramic Award 2016 - Finalist

I am very pleased my new work entitled Shogun's Lament has been selected as a finalist in the North Queensland Biennial Ceramic Award 2016.

Exhibition will be held from 11 March - 1 May 2016
Pinnacles Gallery, Riverway Arts Centre, Townsville, QLD


Naked & Nude Award - Finalist

I am very pleased to be a finalist in Manning Art Gallery's award exhibition - Naked & Nude. This is the second time I have been a finalist in the award! Exhibition opens on 12 September to 25 October 2015.

http://manningregionalartgallery.com.au/2015-naked-and-nude/

Manning Art Prize 2013 - Finalist

Gallery Director Sue Mitchell says “Naked and Nude refers to two things – firstly, the great tradition of The Nude: a person who is bare with no covering or decoration. Secondly, a wider definition: something that is revealed, laid bare, unmasked or vulnerable”.
The 11th biennial Manning Art Prize 2013 Manning Art Prize will be judged by Art Critic John McDonald, two of my artworks from the Shogun's Lament series have been shortlisted for the erotic themed exhibition. For a complete list of the finalists please visit the website:
http://fogsmanningvalley.com.au/the-manning-art-prize/entry-2011-art-prize/

To have a peek at the 2013 e-catalogue:
www.imags.com.au/flipbooks/naked_nude

Ebbeltoft Museum Denmark - Young Glass 2007

The Pillowbook Series was selected for the prestigious Young Glass Award & Exhibition at the Ebbeltoft Museum in Denmark. Australian glass artists selected as finalists for Young Glass 2007 include Lisa Cahill, Mel Douglas & Nicole Ayliffe.

For more information on the exhibition and award please visit: www.glasmuseet.dk

National Erotica Art Prize 2010 - Winner

EROTICA is an art prize... that challenges artists to make work that explores all the elements of the erotic... to find a simple sensuality or to tackle highly sexual imagery that is not exploitative or pornographic.
Winners of the 2010 Erotica — National Acquisitive Art Prize have been acquired for the Alex Mackay Public Art Collection.

Winners for the 2010 Award include: Kim Guthrie, Zara Collins, Steve Cox, Simone Eisler, Julia Holden, Clare Bond, Deborah White and Cathie Brooker.

http://www.artworkers.org

New Australian Glass in New York USA

Curated by Ben Sewell, this exhibition featuring Lisa Cahill, Andrew Lavery, Morgan Shimeld and Zara Collins, displays the diversity & skill in Australian studio glass. On display at Chappell Gallery New York, during June 2007.

Ranamok Glass Prize 2006 - Finalist

The Pillowbook Series was selected for the 2006 Ranamok Glass Prize. “The original drawings on the ‘Art of Love’ were suppressed by the ruling Dynasty. Frozen in time like the bubbles around them, these evocative drawings await a new audience.” For more on the Ranamok Prize, exhibition and national tour please visit: www.ranamok.com

SOFA Chicago 2001 & 2002

Maureen Cahill, Director of the Glass Artists’ Gallery exhibited Zara’s evocative glass and copper drawings at both 2001 and 2002 SOFA (Sculpture Objects & Functional Art) Exposition in Chicago, USA.

www.sofaexpo.com
www.glassartistsgallery.com.au

International Student Award - First Prize, New York 2000

Stolen Glimpses was my first collection of drawings - copper wire fused inside of glass. The work aims “to draw the viewer in for closer observation, to let them unravel the secrets behind the glass.” This body of work was awarded first prize at the Glass Art Society’s International Student Exhibition in Brooklyn, New York in 2000 and chosen as a finalist in the RFC Glass Prize (now called the Ranamok Glass Prize). www.glassart.org

Collaborative Project: Transpire

A collaborative exhibition by Eva Katsikidis (MVA candidate) and Zara Collins (BVA candidate) - which evokes memories from the past and challenges the distortion of memories over time. Exhibited at Gallery 132 through Sydney College of the Arts in 1999.

www.usyd.edu.au/sca


SOFA Chicago 2001 - Craft Australia Exhibition

This innovative body of work was designed and realized during an artist-in-residency at The Gunnery Studios through The NSW Ministry for the Arts in 2001. Experimentation with shed snake skin, plastic and resin for the international exhibition Australian Textile Art – The Material Speaks curated by Craft Australia as a special exhibit at SOFA Chicago 2001(Sculpture Objects & Functional Art). Please see SOFA website for catalogue essay on Australian Textile Art – The Material Speaks.

www.sofa.com
www.arts.nsw.gov.au


Article Exhibition - Art meets News

Article is the culmination of 60 emerging and well-known artist's reaction on published articles that have appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald. Artists include Adam Cullen, Graeme Bannerman, Zara Collins, Guan Wei, Allan Giddy amoung others.

As a dialogue, the result is often politically transgressive, deliciously sardonic and wickedly funny.

The Wharf Woolloomooloo, 8 June - 21 June 2001.