Bridget Whitehead
Lives and works in Cardiff Heights NSW Australia
www.leantostudio.com.au
Professional Practice
My art is a natural progression from a childhood interest in rocks and beach combing, through a career as a geologist, to working stone as a sculptor. I like to work with natural stone and with stone like materials to make sculpture that is at home either indoors or outside.
I am interested in the connection between sculpture and the geology of sculptural media. The inherent material properties are a result of the conditions under which the stone was formed and to which it has been subjected since formation. In the same way that geology influences the landscape, the rock type surely influences sculpture made from stone.
I have degrees in Geology and Environmental and Engineering Geology; my art training has been an informal assemblage of workshops and courses. I have studied limestone carving with Gary Boote and marble carving with Alnassar at Tom Bass Sculpture Studio. I value greatly the support and encouragement I receive through Hunter Sculptors Inc. I am an active member of The Sculptors Society.
My works reflect my emotional response to life events and are influenced by the shapes and patterns in the natural environment. Home is a central theme of my work, questioning where is home and what makes a home. The use of stone in my work connects me to my home and my origins.
Education
- BSc(Hons) Geology
- MAppSc Engineering and Environmental Geology
Exhibitions
2020
- The Sculptors Society – The Incinerator Gallery
- MAC reconnected – Lake Macquarie Art Gallery
- Sculpture in the Vinyards – Wollombi
2019
- The Sculptors Society – The Incinerator Gallery
- Hunter Sculptors at Shortland Wetlands
- Art in the Open – Terrigal
- Inspired – Hunter Valley Grammar School
- Sculpture on the Farm – Dungog
2018
- Toorak Village Sculpture Exhibition
- Contemporary Art Society of Victoria A4 – Herring Island
- Sculpture on the Farm
- The Sculptors Society – Chatswood Chase, Balmain Watch House and The Concourse
Chatswood - International Sculpture Centre USA – smallSculpture
2017
- The Sculptors Society – Incinerator Willoughby
- Sculpture in the Vineyards Wollombi
- Sculpture on the Greens Kooinda Waters Resort Wyong
- Hornsby Art Prize
2016
- Beach to Barrington at Art Systems Wickham
- Sculpture on the Greens Kooinda Waters Resort Wyong
- Sculpture in the Vineyards Wollombi
- Hunter Sculptors – at C Studios Newcastle
- Hunter Sculptors – Hang Over at The Edwards Newcastle
