Artist Statement
I love everything about working with metal: the colour, the feel, the texture, the heat, the smell and the sparks flying. My sculptures are quite frivolous, simple structures. I find the raw materials in garbage tips, junk yards, behind sheds; the search is half the fun.
Biography
Since moving to the Far South Coast in 1983, Rowena has worked mainly as a Primary School and TAFE teacher, art tutor, and currently operates her own web design and photography business. She worked as gallery attendant for ish gallery in Tilba and the Bega Regional Gallery and spiral gallery & was a member of ‘Heirlooms’ artists cooperative in Candelo. For 5 years she co-ordinated and curated the 3 day art festival at Wyndham NSW. In 2011 she curated the Sculpture on the Edge small sculpture exhibition.
Education
As part of her teaching qualifications Rowena studied visual art as a major for 3 years, as well as ceramics for a special project for 1 year at Armidale College of Advanced Education. Then at Alexander Mackie CAE / Sydney College of the Arts she completed studies in metal sculpture, ceramics ( handbuilding and sculpture ) & painting.
She has completed a number of courses through Illawarra TAFE, including fabric printing, needlecraft skills, desktop publishing, clay sculpture, metal fabrication, digital photography and web design.
Exhibitions
Rowena has exhibited and sold works through various galleries and exhibitions on the South Coast over the past 20 years, including the Summer Gallery Tathra, Spiral Gallery Bega, Bega Regional Gallery ,The Crossing Gallery Candelo, Cuttagee Photographers and Wyndham Art Festival exhibition.