About the Award This prize reflects the core concept of Design Eye Creative ‘paper on skin’, an idea conceived and developed by Burnie artist Pamela Thorne with support from her (equally paper-passionate) husband Neil Thorne. The award has been chosen by the Burnie Regional Art Gallery Director, Dawn Oelrich, to highlight the strong partnership between Design Eye Creative ‘paper on skin’ and the gallery. It is sponsored by Janet De Boer OAM, one of the judges for our 2018 event.
Karen Benjamin (QLD)
‘Flow’
Karen Benjamin 'Flow' Image: Grant Wells Photo
About the piece
‘Flow’ is constructed from hundreds of circles made from toilet paper that has been made from recycled paper. Each circle has been coloured with sharpies to create the illusion of flowing water during the changing tide. The circles have been lovingly hand stitched into a garment using a vintage German needle from the 1960’s.
Reflecting the changing tide reminds us that is never too late change. The underlying message of the piece is that, as a society, we can change our ways to help heal and protect the planet.
Note: The design for Flow was conceived prior to COVID-19. At the height of panic buying during the pandemic, Karen was forced to halt production of the piece due to lack of supplies. A face mask was added to the original design once the supermarket shelves were restocked!
Judges Notes
Karen Benjamin’s ‘Flow’…. is entirely made of paper, it is wearable and the wearer can easily move in this soft comfortable garment. Flow’s simple construction belies a deeper meaning reminiscent of the flow of water into a pond, the flow of time in a space eloquently created by its colours and pliable fluid shape. It humorously comments on our obsession with hoarding during the pandemic so is of our time but more the title nods to the idea that to “flow” is to be in a zone of operation, to be in a place energised by creativity and process, immersed in life and art-making. I can think of no other words to better represent Pam and Neil’s contribution.
Dawn Oelrich. Director, Burnie Regional Art Gallery.
Karen Benjamin
About the Artist
Karen Benjamin is an eco-friendly artist who combines issues surrounding caring for the community with caring for our environment through her creative practice.
Working with only natural, recycled or found materials Karen makes bold statements through her whimsical, thought provoking art. Traditional crafts such as sewing, weaving, knitting and folk art are utilised in non-traditional mediums such as recycled paper, plastics, rocks, leaves and seedpods.
Karen has exhibited in over sixty exhibitions and has been in a finalist in the Contemporary Art Awards, Milburn Art Prize and the Lethbridge 10,000 Small Scale Art Award.
Awards include The Australian Palliative Care Art Prize, St Stephens Art Prize and The Nundah Neighbourhood Centre Art Prize. Karen conducts regular workshops at Galleries, Schools and Festivals.