Christine Upton
“Inspired by Life” in Gallery 1
August 2020
-
Stoat Gum 3/7, 2014
Lino block, foot printed on collage and hand coloured
815 x 1075 mm
-
Daysdale Gum 3/7, 2014
Multiple lino blocks, hand carved and foot printed
815 x 1075 mm
-
Eucalyptus Stoatei 3/7, 2014
Lino block, hand carved and foot printed
815 x 1075 mm
-
Smitten 6/25, 2008
Lino block, hand carved, manually printed
580 x 475 mm
-
Dreaming 6/25, 2008
Lino block, hand carved, manually printed
470 x 475 mm
-
Courtship 6/25, 2008
Lino block, hand carved, manually printed
570 x 485 mm
-
Five Journeys #4, 2018
Lino block, foot printed on a montage from original prints
510 x 1040 mm
-
Five Journeys #3, 2018
Lino block, foot printed on a montage from original prints
510 x 1040 mm
-
Five Journeys #2, 2018
Lino block, foot printed on a montage from original prints
510 x 1040 mm
-
Five Journeys #1, 2018
Lino block, foot printed on a montage from original prints
510 x 1040 mm
-
Five Journeys #5, 2018
Lino block, foot printed on a montage from original prints
510 x 1040 mm
Inspired by Life is a selection of works from Upton’s journeys in life. Christine uses lino block and monoprint to create works which are informed by her life experiences and explore: the relationship she has with her children who inspire and challenge her creativity, the difficulties of loss after the death of her husband in 2011 and the beauty and inspiration of Australian flora and fauna.
In 2014, Upton began experimentation with the re-purposing of lino blocks and timber. The result is character filled, uniquely crafted sculptures created with lino blocks and timber. The timbers used to build Christine’s house and the original lino blocks give each sculpture a unique story.
Upton specialises in exploring the printing technique known as Relief Printing and in particular, lino block. She designs, hand carves and hand prints or foot prints in her Corowa studio.
Looking back over her lifetime as a practising artist it is clear that her work has evolved around the exploration of techniques to depict her passions, journeys, and imaginings.
Christine’s passions include native birds and flowers, patterns, and colours. Her journeys include both the physical and the emotional. Her imaginings involve both technical and visual answers to the ‘What if?’ questions of life.
“All of my work involves exploration and play as without these, for me, art would simply become a boring production line that creates visual images.”
Wacky Bird Gallery Corowa is owned and run by Christine.
2020 ‘Inspired by Life’ solo exhibition at Art Partners Australia, Albury, NSW
Exhibiting in over 20 solo exhibitions in Australia, Upton’s artwork has also been selected for group shows at:
Gippsland Art Gallery
Wodonga Arts Space
Albury Regional Gallery
Mullumbimby Art Gallery
Wangaratta Art Gallery
Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne
Sydney Opera House
Percy Tucker Gallery, Townsville
Mackay Harrison Galleries, Ballina
Belconnen Art Centre, Canberra.
Benalla Art Gallery
Shepparton Art Gallery
Upton’s Awards include
The Ruth & Max Barry Award, Albury 2006
The Pacific Festival Board Award for Batik, Townsville 1985, 1979
The Judges Award, Pacific Festival Townsville 1983
The Australian Batik Award, Pacific Festival Townsville 1982, 1979, 1978
Jill Crouchman Award for Contemporary Painting, Rusden Art Exhibition Armidale
Arts Students Award for Sculpture, Newcastle National Art School