Interlocked

We are a collective of creative individuals who have been busy making artworks in non traditional ways often using found materials, both natural and man made. For us, being creative is a way of life and making things is a necessity. It's an urge that has to be addressed, a bubbling up of ideas that need to be made tangible. Interlocked is 4 artists who are linked in this way as well as through friendship and family. 

Michelle King is a local art and photography teacher and after teaching for more than 28 years and raising a family, has finally squeezed in some time to devote to her own creativity. 

She has been photographing her whole life and lately has been experimenting with the alternative photographic process of cyanotype combined with mixed media. She has also been making woven forms from materials foraged from her property. 

Rowena Kempton had a ceramic workshop for many years in the 1990’s. After relocating to the Northern Rivers a few years ago she returned to ceramics but the flood made her change directions and she started weaving as no equipment was needed except vines and a pair of secateurs! Rowena works with foraged fibres both natural and man made .

Arabella Barnard was raised in Lismore. She studied Visual Arts and Graphic Design and now resides in Naarm Melbourne, where she works as a graphic designer. Arabella has dedicated eight years to exploring the world of fibers and textiles, honing her skills and expertise in that field, but she has recently shifted her focus primarily to digital design, where she can blend her artistic vision with innovative technology.

James McKay is an artist working in timber and metal who recently migrated from Sydney to Bundjalung Country. With twenty years as Head of Scenery Construction for the Sydney Theatre Company, James has engineered and built over 250 theatre productions. This experience led to a desire to discover his own creative visions and works.

The challenge of using locally sourced hardwood to create abstract or representative works is the foundation of his inspiration. Fostering an appreciation for discarded timber helps James guide the process of refinement and determines the aesthetic of the pieces he creates. James’ love of wood and carpentry, and the creative process of working with natural materials, has led to his involvement in the Interlocked Exhibition.