Williams, Sharon

The fusion of my passion for anthropology and beachcombing has given rise to my latest body of work. As I took a step back from constant travel at the beginning of 2020, I discovered that two constants remained in my life—engaging with museum exhibits to glean insights into the cultural fabric of my surroundings and venturing straight from urban landscapes into the untamed wilderness.
"I have been the curator at the City of Busselton for over 15 years; however, most people are unaware that I am also a passionate creative. I have drawn and painted throughout my life, but what has taken me by surprise is the recent joy I find in crafting characters. While I typically capture en plein air scenes or sketch the flora and fauna around me, I now find myself conjuring whimsical beings drawn from the sea. Pockets brimming with broken shells and driftwood were initially intended for drawing, persisted on my desk, gradually forming the foundational characters of my maritime court—a peculiar assembly reminiscent of carnival revellers in an enigmatic realm."
Embracing the opportunity to deviate from my usual disciplined approach, I revel in the unpredictability of creating without a predefined plan.

I choose to combine air dry paper clay with the broken shells and treasures that I find on the sea shore.  As I navigate the growing collection of discarded treasures, I am reminded of the artistry in pausing, as expressed in the words of another creative soul, "The art of the pause is a splendid companion to the joy of letting creativity unfold organically."