Join us in August as we present the Salon Series featuring renowned floral sculpture artist Tracey Deep and accomplished photographer Karina Dias Pires. Prepare to be captivated as these exceptional artists engage in a compelling conversation led by the esteemed TWC member, curator and cultural commentator Dolla Merrillees.
About Tracey Deep
Tracey Deep has always shared a profound affinity for nature. Throughout her upbringing, Tracey's fascination with the natural world was evident as she eagerly collected pebbles, red gum chips, and fallen Autumn leaves during walks. She meticulously presented her discoveries, referring to them as her personal "collection." Little did she realise that these early captivations were the foundation for her future career.
After completing her education, Tracey pursued training as a florist, immersing herself in the guidance of esteemed professionals Susan Avery and Alison Coates. This period allowed Tracey to delve into the unfiltered splendour of Australian native flora. She began incorporating sticks, leaves, branches, and any available natural elements into her three-dimensional artworks, imbuing them with a distinct Australian essence.
As Tracey honed her skills, she ventured into self-employment as a florist while concurrently pursuing her floral sculpture endeavours. Her sculptures progressively expanded in size and complexity, leading her to undertake ambitious large-scale installations. Presently, Tracey engages in private sculptural commissions alongside her flourishing floristry practice. Her boundless enthusiasm for the Australian native landscape remains the driving force behind her creative pursuits, continuing to instil in Tracey a profound sense of joy and wonder.
About Karina Dias Pires
Karina Dias Pires is a Brazilian-born Australian writer and a creative director exploring the intersection of storytelling, photography and moving image. She is a self-entitled ‘book geek’ and ‘art lover’ and from an early age she was always curious about exploring the artistic world. Growing up she recalls spending many hours at her dad's library immersing in an array of subjects and books, from poems and art to history and photography which are still intertwined in her studies and work.
Karina received her Bachelor of Visual Communications in Brazil, 1998 and her Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design in Australia, 2005. She has worked in many creative industries since from design and advertising to photography, styling and interiors. As a creative director she draws inspiration from everyday interactions, relationships, human essence, travels and arts. On her search for authenticity, beauty and intimacy, Karina lends her compelling and emotive aesthetic to both editorial and commercial clients.
Karina currently lives in Bondi with her husband David Hanna and their two children, Gabrielle and Sebastian. Coming from a multi-cultural family, travelling is a big part of her life and she spends time between homes in Brazil and Australia. Artists at Home is Karina’s first book to be published with Thames and Hudson on November 2022, stepping into a very personal project she explores some of her favourite subjects and pays homage to inspiring female artists in Australia.
‘Mixing literature, photography and visual arts is something I always dreamed of. I have always wanted to wake every day up and do something that moves me’.
About Dolla Merrillees
Dolla Merrillees is a writer, curator, cultural producer and public speaker. She frequently presents at museum and academic conferences and is author of The Woodcutter’s Wife: A Stepmother’s Tale (Halstead Press, 2007). She brings a wealth of national and international experience to her work having had senior roles in large scale festivals, museums, cultural spaces as well as the tertiary sector. Merrillees is currently the Director Western Sydney Creative, Western Sydney University and was previously the Director and CEO of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney and the Associate Director, Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation. Merrillees is a global emissary for the Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas working with leading fashion designers, cultural practitioners, and architects. She is a board member of the Sydney Review of Books and FORM Dance Projects. Merrillees is listed in Who’s Who of Australian Women and in 2018 she was awarded an Australian Design Honour by the Australian Design Centre.
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