It’s hip to be square
Molly Desmond, aviator confidence, 2023, mixed media assembledge including slab built and extruded earthernware, with ceramic stains, underglazes, and midfire glazes, dyed canvas with dry pigment with rabbit skin glue, distemper, oil and oil stick on a stretched support, 110 x 165 cm. Photo: Brenton McGeachie.
Since the early 1990s, Strathnairn Arts Association has supported the development of early career artists through the Emerging Artist Support Scheme at the School of Art and Design, Australian National University.
Named in honour of Anita Mcintyre, Strathnairn president from 2006 to 2011, and tireless advocate of the arts, the Anita Mcintyre Residency offers a studio for three months and access to the ceramic facilities. This provides graduates with an opportunity to continue the momentum of their study in a professional studio while navigating and establishing their place/practice in the competitive creative industries sector.
In 2024, the Anita Mcintyre Residency was awarded to Molly Desmond. Molly graduated from the Ceramics Department, School of Art and Design, Australian National University.
Molly Desmond was selected at the Patron’s Preview of the 2023 ANU School of Art and Design Graduating Exhibition for her work aviator confidence.
Anita McIntyre says of Molly’s work, “While there was a very good body of work from the final ceramics candidates I chose Molly’s for several reasons. The choice of a simple form for her glaze and decoration exploration, the sensitive design placement of the elements of the surface decoration and her grouping of the work and its relationship to each other.”
For the first time, Strathnairn Arts has also selected three graduates to exhibit in an Emerging Artist Support Scheme exhibition at the Woolshed Gallery in 2024. Gemma Brown, Sophia Childs and Melissa Nickols each work in quite different styles and mediums; this exhibition brings together each of the artist's unique approaches to working with found materials. Industrial waste, reclaimed textiles and cardboard packaging each form a part of the artworks in this exhibition. By allowing the inherent qualities of these materials to interact and influence the art making process, the artworks reveal new and unexpected results.
Media contact
James Holland
james@strathnairn.com.au
Anita Mcintyre Residency exhibition featuring Molly Desmond
Homestead Gallery 2, July 17 to August 11
EASS exhibition featuring Gemma Brown, Sophia Childs and Melissa Nickols
Woolshed Gallery, June 1 to July 7