Cathy Franzi embarked on an artist residency in a beautiful and environmentally diverse part of Australia. Cathy was artist in residence at Vancouver Arts Centre in Albany Western Australia for six weeks early in 2023. During her residency she researched the plants and coastal environment of this remarkable biodiversity hotspot in preparation for making new work. She spent time in the field with Threatened Species expert Dr Sarah Barrett and others, photographed plants and coastline, gained insight into the Menang Noongar people’s cultural knowledge and researched early European botanical exploration to the area.
Research from the residency will inform her upcoming exhibition at Sabbia Gallery, Coast to Coast to be held in July 2023, in which she explores the similarities and differences between the coast and flora of Sydney and that of Albany WA. The extensive bays and coastline of both harbours and the endemic and extraordinary flora give ample inspiration for this new body of work.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
We are delighted to be hosting this solo exhibition at Sabbia and look forward to experiencing the results of this important time in WA.