Seven female artists host Balingup pop-up exhibition during Medieval Carnivale

Seven female artists joined forces to create a pop-up exhibition with diverse artistic works over the Balingup Medieval Carnivale weekend. Those who missed out will still be able to catch the showing, with it’s success enabling an extension until September 1. Totem Bohemia textile artist Cassi-Jo Davis said the exhibition was a good example of what could happen when female creators band together with the group given the opportunity by Caro Lunel, the owner of the building, which is a yoga studio. “The medieval festival draws such a massive crowd to Balingup, it was an opportunity to show what artists are doing in the region,” Davis said. “It’s quite diverse . . . (because we had) painters, print makers, textile artists . . . (and) a basket maker, and quite a few ceramic pieces as well.” Davis said acrylic painter and drawer Carolyn Austin put a call out for local artists with the seven ladies jumping on board. “Suddenly there’s this fabulous little show,” she said. “I used to feel quite isolated in this area feeling like maybe there was only a few artists in town, but the more I’ve started to become involved in these little exhibitions and the Blackwood River Arts Trail, I realise there’s so many artists in the area meeting together. “I’m meeting more and more artists all the time and realising just how much talent there is in this area.” The weekend’s exhibition featured Wendy Mills with teabag art, painter and potter Tracey Saggers, Ania Boltuc with basketry, Kerry Burns with collagraphs and linocut prints, and Jaimi Wright with cards of the seasons, herbs and tarot — as well as Davis and Austin. Davis said her works were inspired by studies of the female figure combining life drawing with vintage fabric and upcycled materials. Davis said the group was grateful to the owner of the yoga studio for offering up the opportunity for a pop-up exhibition. “Networking and the connection for artists is incredibly important to support each other, because it is a really hard gig to make a living as an artist,” she said. “So, it’s really important for artists to work together and show together and create these connections and build an artist community.”