Sculptor/artist Josie Dillon Lowerson is a former local who grew up on the farm at Narraport and attended school in both Wycheproof and Birchip.
She is currently preparing a major exhibition of her artworks which have been transported 3,000 km from her studio on the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland, to Fortyfivedownstairs Gallery in Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
The upcoming exhibition titled “Just A Sheila” will showcase an eclectic combination of mostly life-sized figurative sculptures and also a series of large mix media drawings that relate to the overall concept of exploring social and domestic situations from a personal point of view. It is literally a three dimensional memoir of events and experiences that reflect a distincly female visual signature and refers to precise moments in time. It continues an artistic career of constantly exhibiting in quality galleries both in Australia and overseas.
Her work has been shown in New York, Paris, Florence, Barcelona, Rotterdam, Naples, Palermo in Sicily and Isle of Capri, as well as local and interstate galleries.
The media used is mostly recycled Australian hardwoods which are physically demanding and time consuming to work with but they result in strong forms, original concepts and exquisite finishes. A combination of techniques involving resins, metal, found objects, stencilling and paint are also incorporated in the sculptures. Overall 25 artworks have been transported to Melbourne for this particular exhibition.
Josie’s artistic path has also included being part of the first group of females in Australia to gain a Bachelor Degree to teach wood/metal in high schools. She also completed an Art residency in Italy which included teaching at an International school in Pollena Trocchea. Her artistic career co-incided with being a teacher of Visual Arts, Wood and Photography in High schools and TAFE in Victoria and far north Queensland.
Exhibition “Just A Sheila” will be open from 27th August until 7th September.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 16 August 2024.