Sundown, Josie Riches (#094)

Sundown
Josie Riches
Synthetic fibre fishing ropes, salvaged from West Coast beaches
235mm x 235mm

I studied a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts at the University of Tasmania from 2000 – 2002, majoring in painting. For honours in 2003 however, my entire body of work was created from single use plastics. I revel in creating something of beauty out of something considered waste. 

On finishing my degree I commenced work at Poimena as the Art Teachers Aide and Gallery Technician, spending a happy four years in this role before moving to Stanley.

After moving to the North West I walked with a friend one day on a remote beach. On our way back we collected rubbish. The array of colours and textures in the ropes we found caught my eye, so I kept them with the intention of one day making baskets. “One day” eventually came, and once I started I didn’t stop.  Alongside other pursuits, I’ve now been making beach rope baskets for many years, five of them as a maker at Burnie’s Makers’ Workshop.

This piece was made entirely from rope collected by a friend at Sundown Point, south of Arthur River.  It is one in which I employ my painterly skills, using the ropes as a palette to “paint” a landscape.