See the Sydney Opera House through the eyes of Studio A artists.
In an upcoming collaboration, Studio A artists have created a refreshing perspective of the iconic landmark, the Sydney Opera House.
Studio A is a North Shore art centre, a social initiative by Studio ARTES Northside. With the support of the NSW Government and ArtsNSW, the initiative provides creative programs for adults living with intellectual disabilities.
Four-time Archibald Prize finalist and Hornsby local, Emily Crockford, along with once-Adelaidean, Archibald Prize finalist, Meagan Pelham, have captured the Opera House in an explosion of bright colour and intriguing shape.
Sydney Opera House have worked with Studio A artists in the past, as part of their Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Strategy.
For the collaboration, Emily’s piece “Firework Rainbow Reflection” and Meagan’s artwork “Cockatoo Cocktail Romantic Sunset Harbour Party” are printed on a range of household merchandise – tote bags, pillows, greeting cards, notebooks, tea towels – and sold on the Sydney Opera House shopping site. Both Emily and Meagan were paid commission and receive royalties from every item purchased.
‘It was the bright lights and fireworks of Vivid that inspired my design,’ explains Emily. ‘All the colourful light are reflecting on the waving water. This is Emily’s style, spunky, spunky, colour queen.’
Emily’s medium of choice for her artwork was acrylic paint on canvas. A lengthy process, from first sketching on paper to then painting on the canvas, it took several weeks to complete.
Meagan focused her piece on celebrating 50 years of the Opera House. ‘The theme is having a cocktail because it’s a special day,’ says Meagan. ‘Birds are sipping on cocktails and the whales and turtles are having a party in the harbour, dancing under the sea.’
Meagan employed a multitude of media for her cockatoo cocktail creation. ‘Gouache, acrylic, pen, washy, blending, on paper. I did lots of different sketches and mixed a few together to create this artwork.’
Both Emily and Meagan gush about their time with Studio A, grateful for the opportunity to reach their artistic goals, inspire people in the process, and foster deep friendships.
Careers for Studio A artists have flourished. For Emily, she has created major public works, including “A Possum is Watching” for Sydney Metro, Hurlstone Park Station, 81.5 metre mural “Oysters Eating Rainbows” for the WestConnex, and 300 metre mural “Love owls and mermaids singing in the rainbow pop” for the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which Meagan worked on alongside Emily.
For Meagan, this year marks her second time as finalist for the Archibald Prize, with her portrait of National Portrait Gallery Director of Curatorial and Collection, Isobel Parker-Philip. Her installation “Flirty Fashion Fancy Romance Runway” was on exhibition in Paddington until the end of July.
‘I feel inspired and proud of this range. I hope people will love it,’ says Meagan, speaking on her Opera House recreation.
‘I just love art and patterns,’ continues Emily. ‘Everyone should go on the website and buy my things for Christmas presents! You will love it so much!”
Collaboration is on until stocks last.
For more information and to purchase the collection, visit sydneyoperahouseshop.com/collections/studio-a
