Grace Cross creates complex layered mixed media/textile artworks with a fusion of rusting, fibres, fabric, paper, acrylics, digital imaging, stitching and embellishments. Inspired by the organic ‘scapes’ of nature and the environment,
Grace’s own personal vocabulary of marks journey through her artworks and help to compose her creative form of expression. The artistic process of personal discovery is intuitive, layering colour, texture and marks on the surface, while continuously adjusting the composition to maintain a balance between harmony and disorder. As a Visual Art Educator for the past 30+ years, Grace now produces art professionally. She has gone on to receive numerous awards and finalist status for her mixed/media textile artworks. Her artworks are in collections in Australia, USA and Europe.
CV
Educational Qualifications
Graduate Diploma, Secondary Teaching, Art, Design. University Of California, Davis, USA 1975
Bachelor of Science, Design; Specialising in Textile, Interior, Graphic and Fashion Design, UC Davis, USA 1973
Achievements:
2024 International Women of the Year Award, Champion of the Arts for her contribution to the Arts in her local community, Bracken Ridge Plaza, Bracken Ridge
2022 Solo Exhibition, Layered Landscapes, Baaia Gallery, Sandgate
2022 Finalist Lethbridge Landscape Art Prize, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington
2022 Finalist Libris Awards: The Australian Artists’ Book Prize, Artspace Mackay, Adele Outtridge, Judge
2021 First Place, Mixed Media, Expressions Art Show, Shorncliffe, Dianne Hodge, Judge
2021 Finalist Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Prize, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington QLD
2021 Finalist Lethbridge Landscape Art Prize, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington QLD, Rick Everingham, Marian Drew & Paula Quintela, Judges
2021 2D First Prize, Easter Art Show, SASart, Wyn Vogel & Michael Cawdry, Judges
2021 3D First Prize, Easter Art Show, SASart, Wyn Vogel & Michael Cawdry, Judges
2021 Digital Art Highly Commended, Easter Art Show, SASart, Wyn Vogel & Michael Cawdry, Judges
2017 Highly Commended 2D, Sandgate Easter Art Show, Judge Wyn Vogel Director of Fish Lane Studios
2015 First Place 2D, Bluewater Art Show, Brisbane, Judge M Bowden, Art Director Warrior Women
2014 First Place 2D, Expressions, Sandgate, Judge Tricia Reust
2013 First Place, Mixed Media, Expressions, Sandgate
2013 Open 3D Second Place, Bluewater Art Show, Shorncliffe. Guest Judge, Stephanie Outridge-Field.
2012 Highly Commended 3D ‘Expressions” Exhibition Sandgate. Guest Judge, Karen Tyler, Moreton Bay Regional Galleries Curator
Juried Exhibitions:
2022 Finalist Libris Awards: The Australian Artists’ Book Prize, Artspace Mackay, Adele Outtridge, Judge
2021 Foot Square Exhibition, Aspire Gallery, Paddington QLD
2021 Finalist Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Prize, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington QLD
2021 Finalist Lethbridge Landscape Art Prize, Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington QLD, Rick Everingham, Marian Drew & Paula Quintela, Judges
2020 The Art of the Paper Bag, Cross Gallery Bundaberg, finalist 2D
2020 Brooching the Subject, Timeless Textiles Newcastle, finalist Textiles
2019 Milburn Art Prize Finalist, BIA Windsor
2019,2017, 2016, 2013 Moreton Regional Art Awards, finalist 2D, Pine Rivers Regional Gallery
2013 Rotary Art Spectacular, finalist 2D, Riverside Centre, Brisbane
2012 Pine Rivers Regional Gallery, “Dare to Do Square”. 30 invited artists explore the aesthetic of the square. Curator, Karen Tyler
Group Exhibitions:
2021 Matthew Flinders Art Awards, Bribie Island QLD
2018 “The Quilt Challenge”, invited exhibition Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, QLD, Curator Susie Lewis
2017 ‘Sensed Consequences’, invited exhibition Jugglers Art Space, Brisbane
2017, 2012 Matthew Flinders Art Prize, Bribie Island. 2017 Sandgate Easter Art Show, Shorncliffe
2016 “Journeys”, Toogoolawah Regional Gallery, The Condensery
2016 “Elemental”, invited exhibition Entangle Art Gallery, Dayboro
2016 “Perception”, invited exhibition Hervey Bay Regional Gallery
2016, 2012 “Botanique” Richard Randall Gallery, Brisbane Botanical Gardens
2015, Bluewater Art Show, Shorncliffe, First Place 2D 2013, Open 3D, Second Place
2014 “Expressions”, Sandgate, First Place 2D. 2013, First Place, Mixed Media. 2012, Highly Commended 3D Guest Judge, Karen Tyler, Moreton Bay Regional Galleries Curator
2014 “PIER”, Naracoopa B&B Art Gallery, Qld
1988 “Quiltworks”, Contemporary Quilts and Artworks, Solo Exhibition, Metro Arts Gallery, Brisbane
Professional Appointments:
2021/2022 Coordinator of the inaugural 4017 Bayside Open Studios, Bracken Ridge, Deagon, Sandgate, Shorncliffe
2021/2022 QLD Spinners, Weavers & Fibre Artists, Guest lecturer, Workshop Tutor, Rust Workshop:Rust, Layer & Embellish, Concertina Artist Books with Vintage Ephemera
2021/2022 Management Committee, Sandgate Art Society
1982 to 2008 Visual Art Teacher, Grace Lutheran College, Rothwell, QLD. Visual Art.
1991 Guest Lecturer: St Charles LutheranCollege, Missouri USA. Visual Art
1975 to 1981 Wavell State High School. Brisbane QLD. Visual Art.
Selected Press
Textile Fibre Forum, Sept 2021 issue
Sandgate Guide, 2021, 4017 Bayside Open Studios
Fibre Arts Australia, E. Zine, 2020, Volume 4, Art Textile/Fibre Arts
Sandgate Guide, 2020, Art and Soul
The Artist Palette Yearbook Magazine, 2015, pg 48
Weekend Notes, Resolution Art Exhibition at Art & Design Precinct, 1/13, Tina Walsh
D.W. Thorpe in association with National Association for the Visual Arts, “Who’s Who in Australian Visual Arts”, Fibre Arts/Textiles, 2nd Edition, 1995
Textile Fibre Forum, Nov 6, 1988, p3
Judges Comments:
EXPRESSIONS SHORNCLIFFE Art Exhibition 22.10.21
Judge: Dianne Hodge (Dip Teach Vis Arts, B. Ed. Assoc. Dip Visual Arts)
Artist: Grace Cross
Title: In a Monastery Garden
3D Mixed Media
This mixed media artwork was a stand out amongst some very fine entries, with subtle storytelling, exquisite handling of material and informed selection of media. The artist exhibits a high standard of craftsmanship and the work is quietly beautiful. It ticks all the boxes in terms of presentation, choice of materials used, the pleasing flow of the design from frame to frame, with a good balance between positive and negative spaces, enhancing the subject’s spiritual and whimsical garden elements. The choice of colour palette is exquisite.
The collage of expressive mark making, music notation, text and printmaking, juxtaposed by the minimalist use of machine and hand stitching, framed by the clear Perspex ‘end covers’, results in a harmoniously flowing and unified assemblage. I like the contrast between the adjacent sides on the ‘pages’ or ‘folds’, here layers of thought provoking elements invite the viewer to a deeper reflection of the piece. Overall, this is a very fine and sophisticated artwork. Congratulations!
