Carolyne Brennan

Carolyne Brennan is an Artist & Designer & Tutor who has exhibited work in Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane and Northern Territory . She has over thirty years experience working with Clay & twenty years experience in the fashion Jewellery industry.

Carolyne has an Associate Diploma in Ceramics, Certificate in Ceramics, Certificate in Mould making, a background in Silver Smithing, Glass Fusing and past teaching experience with TAFE certificate courses

Carolyne gains inspiration for her work from nature. Classic in form, the individuality of her work concentrates heavily on the decoration and surface treatment of the pieces in both Ceramics & Jewellery

The decoration on the ceramic pieces are worked in coloured slips (clay) trailed and painted, and Sgraffito (carving back to clay surface) favouring colours of black, white and orange on a terracotta or white clay body and a clear gaze - the result is a very earthy palette.

Consequently, while making a positive statement, her clay work and animals nevertheless mould with ease into any setting. Carolyne has introduced a new range of work rich in turquoise surfaces influenced by the elements (earth, wind, rain, land, water). She has also developed a successful range of jewellery incorporating handmade and decorated clay beads and forms with wire, glass and semi precious stones and chips.

As Carolyne combines dots for decoration on a range of work; from large platters to jewellery, often imposing the technique on native animal shapes such as Frill-necked Lizards and Geckos; it is not surprising that many people liken her work to that of the Australian aboriginal. Her use of Dots neither borrows from Aboriginal culture or purports to tell a story Rather it seems an extension of that and possibly too of the pointillism of impressionist painters, resulting in an art form all of her own. Developed as far back as her years in College where her influences and inspiration came from the Art Deco period with it strong borders and patterning, along with the decoration of Thomas Toft that was made in the late 17th & early 18th century consisting of slipware and dots. Out of this period of designing came not only dots but Zebra print & dots!!

Carolyne has developed her signature beads in the Zebra print introducing them into large neckpieces.She is currently working & designing on wearable art neck pieces with Janice Evert's Boulder Opals. This stunning new range of work has toured American shows.

Animals and reptiles, of which Carolyne has a great fondness for, often feature in her work. Among her many group exhibitions in the past was Art at the Zoo held at Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney, raising funds for the Orang-utans Rainforest exhibit which was very successful.

Carolyne works from her private studio in Chester Hill, a suburb in Sydney where she is currently offering Creative Fashion Jewellery & Dichroic Glass courses & workshops.

Current Gallery where Carolyne's work may be viewed:

• Mulgara Gallery Ayers Rock
• Leaping Lizards Gallery Alice Springs
• Helena Bischof Gallery Darling Harbor
• Craft Australia Space David Jones 4th Floor Market Street

Click here for Carolyne's Biography