Boranup
Gallery

PAULA HANDS – ARTIST STATEMENT

I emigrated from the U.K. in 1969 and have lived in Sydney, Adelaide, Queensland, and different areas of western Australia.

It was whilst I was living in the Whitsunday’s QLD, that I was first introduced to sculpturing in clay. A top local artist invited me to join her sculpturing group who were all novices. My initial reluctance, was soon replaced by the desire to learn more and more about the craft. With a few tips from here and there I experimented, made many mistakes, but also made some lovely pieces, and in the process enjoyed myself enormously.

I hand build my piece’s using sculpturing clay, which is a lot courser than the clay used for pots. Once dried thoroughly the extensive process of sanding begins, until it has a smooth finish. It is then fired in and electric kiln. Once out of the kiln, I either glaze it and refire, or hand paint it using various methods, brush, sponge, or fingers, building up the colours until I get the desired effect.

The majority of my work consists of figures taken from all walks of life, or an abstract form and shape.

I regularly enter the griffin art festival, an annual event that attracts a lot of entrants, and have taken out

1st prize – 2005

1st prize – 2006 this piece was brought by the griffin coal
Miners group for their front foyer permanent display

1st prize – 2007

High commendation – 2008

1st Prize – 2009

My pieces have sold throughout Australia, U.K., U.S.A., and Canada.