Making Space | Know My Name

Next date: Sunday, 22 December 2024 | 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

Immerse yourself in creative activities and experiences responding to the ideas and techniques explored by Central Queensland artists Emma Ward, Niloufar Lovegrove and Obscura. Designed for children, families and people of all ages and abilities, this making space was developed in celebration of current exhibition, Know My Name: Australian Women Artists. 

 

FREE - bookings not required for children and families

• Adults must supervise the children in their care at all times

• During school terms, the space may be closed for school and group bookings - please call ahead if you would like to confirm that the space will be available during your visit
• During school holidays, the space will have a staff member present to assist from 9.30am - 12.30pm daily

 

Schools and Groups - bookings essential

• Complete a booking request form using the button below
• Groups of 16 or less are free
• Groups of 17 or more start at $65.00/hour (inc. GST) to cover materials and staffing
• Apply for the RMOA x Haymans Bus Bursary to cover associated costs 

 

 

Emma Ward

Emma Ward is a visual artist working predominantly in painting who is based in Central Queensland, part of the fourth generation of her family to reside on Darumbal Country. Over the past fifteen years, Ward’s practice has traversed a range of themes across a variety of artistic genres, exploring motherhood, identity, flora and fauna through portraiture and still life.

A visual storyteller at heart, Ward combines a love of playful imagery and a belief in the profound power of the imagination with technical skill to evoke atmosphere and convey emotion in her works. Ward’s work draws the viewer in through striking colour and compositions that feature carefully selected symbols, balancing whimsy with narratives exploring identity, place and personal experiences.

Ward has exhibited widely with recent achievements including 2024 solo exhibition, “Wild. Life” at Benevolent Living in Rockhampton, and receiving a special commendation in the 2023 Bayton Award for Central Queensland artists at RMOA. Exploring the work of female artists past and present has been a recent influence on her practice and has become a great personal motivation, leading Ward to undertake a Bachelor of Fine Art and Visual Culture that she is due to complete in 2024.

 

Niloufar Lovegrove

Originally from Iran, Niloufar Lovegrove is a printmaker and visual artist based in Central Queensland on Darumbal Country. Her work blends contemporary themes with mythological Persian narratives, aiming to transcend cultural boundaries and explore shared human experiences. Lovegrove’s contemplative approach to the medium strikes a balance between craftsmanship and visual storytelling. Her contribution to large-scale public art demonstrates her dedication to connecting with diverse audiences.

Lovegrove has exhibited widely and in 2023 won the prestigious Bayton Award for Central Queensland artists at RMOA. Additional achievements include winning the 2023 Burnie Print Prize and being shortlisted for the National Works on Paper Award, establishing Lovegrove as an influential voice in Australian printmaking.

Following a successful solo exhibition at Artspace Mackay in 2022, which led to the acquisition of her smaller installation by Artbank, Lovegrove is currently working on a new body of work for her upcoming solo exhibition at Creative Whitehorse in 2025.

 

Obscura

 

Obscura’s photographic practice explores themes including the intersection between natural and urban environments, as well as identity through self-portraiture. Her work has received a number of awards since first picking up a camera in 2019. In 2024 Obscura was awarded a Regional Arts Development Fund grant to design and construct a koto (traditional Japanese instrument) from composite materials.

Traditional Japanese musical instruments that Obscura plays include taiko, shakuhachi, koto, and shinobue. A member of UQ Taiko Japanese Drumming Team since its beginnings in 2014, Obscura has performed for a range of audiences from primary schools through to prestigious events including the Japanese Consulate in Brisbane. Obscura has also performed with Queensland Koto Society and the Australian Shakuhachi Society.

In addition to exploring art and music, Obscura is also a writer and independent scholar. Recent achievements include having a piece of poetry published in an anthology, as well as having an exhibition review selected for publishing by Lemonade: Letters to Art.

 

This project is generously supported in partnership with Haymans Electrical.

 

Photos: Mad Dog Productions. 

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