17 June 2024

Weipa artist's first solo exhibition resonates as huge success

| Chisa Hasegawa
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Lisa Scharf and Waratah Nicholls

Lisa Scharf (left) and regional arts officer Waratah Nicholls celebrate the success of the Nature’s Resonance exhibition. Photo: Supplied.

Lisa Scharf is busily preparing to share more of herself after the artist’s first solo exhibition in Weipa and Cooktown went off “without a hitch”.

Despite feeling nervous about putting herself out there, the Weipa artist said she was calm and comfortable on the night as she basked in the love shown for her work.

The exhibition, Nature’s Resonance, showcased her connection with nature through various mediums, including a unique combination of ceramics and weaving.

Ms Scharf said the intimate gathering of family, friends and community members gave her a new-found confidence.

“It was just beautiful, the atmosphere was lovely, and people were very positive towards my art,” she said.

“People loved my pots with the weaving on top and they were also drawn to my paintings.”

Ms Scharf opened the show in Weipa earlier this month before packing it up to showcase at Nature’s Powerhouse in Cooktown.

The works will be available to view until mid-July, concluded by a weaving workshop on 13 July.

READ ALSO Young artistic talent on show at second UMI Arts exhibition of the year

With her works drawn towards femininity and showcasing the beauty of Weipa’s landscape, Ms Scharf said it was important to her that women supported one another.

Along with friends and family, Ms Scharf thanked regional arts officer Waratah Nicholls and the Regional Arts Services Network Tropical North team, as well as Cook Shire Council.

“One thing I’ve learned is that women supporting other women is so important for creation to continue,” the artist said.

“Especially living in a small community, if I didn’t have that support, I would have shrunk and gone.

“Beautiful things can happen when women uplift each other.”

Ms Scharf said she was not sure what she would showcase next, but knew more exhibitions were on the horizon.

“There will absolutely be a new body of work that I’ll be working on now,” she said.

“I’m not sure what yet; I’ll just follow my instincts and it’ll be where my heart takes me.”

Nature's Resonance exhibition

Family and friends gathered to see Ms Scharf’s artworks, including her unique ceramic and weaving pieces. Photo: Supplied.

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