Onwards Gallery Resident Artist Holly Leonardson
Holly Leonardson is a Newcastle based visual artist currently working out of Onwards Gallery. She graduated from the University in Tasmania in 2015 with a Bachelor of Contemporary Art and spent close to four years in Launceston studying experimental textiles, ceramics and silversmithing.
Since then, Holly slowly moved up the South coast and settled in Newcastle, NSW. She has continued working with and combining these skills to create works that are wildly diverse and unique. Holly predominantly creates using vintage books, found objects, paint and craft materials, assembling them into various forms of collage, jewellery and small sculptures.
She draws on different themes and ideas derived from craft and acts of making, collecting, adornment, friendship, and the domestic and natural world. Holly’s works that are playful, joyous, meticulous, and detailed, often sparking great joy in the viewers.
In November of 2022 Holly showcased a wide variety of works in her solo show at Onwards Gallery, ‘Super Wild Beach Party’. Through playful experimentation and material-led processes, Holly drew on themes of the coastline and beach environments to create this exciting and eccentric body of works.
“My work in Super Wild Beach Party combines the serenity of a deserted beach on an overcast day and the vibrancy of colours revealed by a cloudless sky and burning sun on a popular stretch of sand.”
Walking through the exhibition was a dazzling experience. The room was full of colours reminiscent of beach towels, umbrellas, swim wear and hats. The colours tied together an array of collected materials including sand, driftwood, shells, and paper cut outs of various forms of sea life. This colourful concoction of materials and processes captured the perfect beach day as we would all remember it.
You could practically hear the seagulls cry and smell the salt from the ocean. This body of work was a true testament to Holly’s creations that celebrate the world and its natural environments, reminding us of the joy and playfulness that connect us to these places and the symbols within them.
We caught up with Holly recently to discuss in further detail her own creative processes and her experience working out of Onwards Gallery.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your art practice.
My name is Holly Leonardson and I have been working with collage-based concepts for over ten years. My practice spans both handmade and digital collages, which often extends to craft-based jewellery, textiles and small sculptural objects. I enjoy the playful, experimental nature of material-led process and am always keen to learn new techniques and skills.
My work mostly reflects my interests in handcrafted objects and the making process, collections and collecting, surface and body adornment, domestic spaces and the natural environment. I graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2015 with a Bachelor of Contemporary Art and have lived in four different states along the Australian east coast. My studio at Onwards Gallery is crammed with beautiful old books that I occasionally love too much to cut into.
What has art making meant for you?
I have always regarded making art as a place for me to relax and be myself, and to share how I see and wish to experience the world around me. The process of creating allows me to dip into that sought-after flow state, where being deeply absorbed in a task allows my hands to make the work while my mind wanders and makes connections without too much effort.
Where do you draw inspiration or motivation from when you are creating?
I’m purely motivated by the need to make things, and to see how far I can push an idea or test my creative boundaries. My inspirations are drawn both from the natural environment and found objects, as well as images of other peoples’ studios found online or in books. Nothing like seeing a busy, visually exciting creative space to make me want to get started!
How long have you been working out of Onwards Gallery?
It’s been just over a year since I joined Onwards in October 2021.
What is your favourite thing about working from Onwards Gallery?
Besides having my own space to work in and make completely my own, and the separation from home that it provides, I really like the inbuilt socialisation. We work very hard and respect each others time, but we are also quick to have a laugh and a chat. Can I also just say, thanks for the freshly ground Suspension coffee beans!
Do you have a favourite time of day to be creating, and why?
Early mornings are my favourite time of day, the warehouse has a very cool and still atmosphere that I find very peaceful. When I do get in, I’m often the first person there (if I haven’t been beaten by Emily), which helps me focus that little bit extra when my mind is at it’s clearest.
How does having a studio at Onwards Gallery benefit your work?
My studio at Onwards allows me the space to test ideas and work a bit bigger than I could from home. Sometimes I like to set up at the bigger tables in the empty gallery space and spread out my materials, which can be handy for working on multiple wood panels at once in a production line, or for organising and sewing large pieces of fabric.
Favourite studio session snack?
My favourite studio session snack is mixed nuts and dried or fresh fruit, but for something more substantial I like to go for a quick stroll to Common Circus for one of their smoked salmon bagels with cream cheese.
Have you felt that working from Onwards Gallery has helped you to connect with other local artists and the local art community, and why is that important?
Before joining as a studio member at Onwards, I attended a lot of the exhibition openings at the gallery and got to know a few local artists and quickly learned that this community is very genuine and welcoming. Working from Onwards has strengthened these relationships; it’s a great way to meet other creatives, learn from each other and collaborate on projects.
Has working out of the studios at Onwards Gallery helped you reach some goals in either a personal or professional sense?
Having a studio at Onwards helps me use my creative time more efficiently. I reserve the space for material-based work only; any digital work gets done at home on my computer. Eliminating the distraction of at least one screen helps! When I was making work for my second solo show, it helped to be able to leave out everything I was working on in its various stages; I think this helped the work remain cohesive.
Has Onwards Gallery shared with you any employment opportunities, coaching or career advice?
As a member of Onwards, I had the opportunity to exhibit at the John Hunter Hospital and at an end of year exhibition at NAS, as well as Onwards resident group shows like our very fun 5th birthday exhibition and open studio event. I’ve also received some great advice and tips for residencies.
How do you feel Onwards Gallery can benefit someone considering moving in?
You’ll quickly become part of our community where everyone is genuine and friendly, and the space tends to provide a bit of an escape from the outside world, where it is just you and the work. Though, you do need to put in some hours for it to give back!
