Jo Fernandez is a landscape artist living on the outskirts of the historic village of Millthorpe, in the NSW Central Tablelands. Her work draws deep inspiration from the region’s expansive skies, open land, and the shifting light and colour brought by its distinct seasons. Rooted in a landscape that is personal and close to home, Jo’s paintings begin with an emotional response to her surroundings. She seeks out elements that resonate deeply, using colour, tone, and atmosphere to distil their essence. Her technique of glazing—applying transparent layers of oil paint—brings a luminous depth to her works.

Exhibiting Artists: Pippita Bennett, Lea Durie, Christina McLean and Karlie Simring

Four artists, each rooted in the mediums of ceramics and textiles, unite in an exploration of materiality. This exhibition invites the audience on a sensory journey of earth and fiber. Through their distinct yet interconnected practices, the artists celebrate the tactile essence of these ancient materials, revealing stories of tradition, innovation, and the profound relationship between maker and medium.

Karlie Simring is an artist and designer based in Inner Sydney on Gadigal Land. Holding a Bachelor of Fashion and Textile Design, Karlie has enjoyed a creative career as a Senior and Head designer in the fashion industry for more than 25 years. Her early education also included a year at the National Art School. More recently, Karlie has explored various creative mediums, including watercolour, ceramics, basketry & weaving. Now an emerging artist, she creates contemporary textiles, focusing on surface embroidery. Art and design are Karlie’s guiding passions, with the world of textiles continually inspiring her process. Drawing from her experience in fashion, she infuses her work with a considered sense of colour, form and detail. Karlie’s process is intuitive, as she explores and observes her surroundings. Her art is an interplay of line, texture and tone, creating stories with a deep appreciation for materiality and tactility. Mark making with thread, brings the viewer into her inner world.