about the artists.
Laura Wills.
Laura is an Adelaide-based multidisciplinary artist based at Central Studios. Traversing the boundaries of drawing she explores social and environmental themes through found materials, collaborative processes and community- based projects to create hybrid works that are communicative in nature and connect us to the environment.
With a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Applied Design from Adelaide Centre of the Arts (2003), and a Bachelor of Visual Arts Honors from South Australian School of Art (2011) she has exhibited nationally and internationally and has worked collaboratively with many artists including Anna Dowling during a residency at SAHMRI; Elisabeth Close as part of an artist in resident at Flinders Medical Centre and Louise Flaherty in the creation of Grassy Shadows workshops for Nature Festival 2020. In 2017 she was awarded the Fleurieu Art Prize and in 2019 the National Works on Paper prize both for her collaborative work with James Tylor.
Recent projects include Parklands Project and a 4-week Country Arts SA residency at Palace of Production, Kangaroo Island. Current Wills Projects works with William Cheesman include Tiny Gems, for City of Port Adelaide Enfield, installing a mural in Clare with Rosina Possingham and developing public art for Rural City of Murray Bridge.
Louise Flaherty.
Louise is an artist and arts worker based in Adelaide. Informed by quiet reflection on the natural environment, her current practice spans drawing and installation with a focus on community driven projects.
Founding Director of Downtown Arts Space, she has has worked at the South Australian School of Art, was Arts Program Manager at Barkly Regional Arts in the Northern Territory and studied Visual Arts at the South Australian School of Art, receiving first class Honours.
She has exhibited widely and in 2019 was the winner of the Tatiara Art Prize at Walkway Gallery. During a residency at The Mill in Adelaide CBD she created work based upon research of local native plants which was expanded upon in a later residency at Sauerbier House Cultural Exchange, Port Noarlunga. In 2018 she was recipient of a Guildhouse LimberUp mentorship with artist Laura Wills, focusing on community engagement and participatory practice. In 2019 she was Artist in Residence at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and more recent projects include presenting a new collaborative work for OSCA’s Parklands Project, participating in Vitalstatistix’s Adhocracy program; and creating an collaborative audio-led workshop for Nature Festival. Louise is a studio resident at Post Office Projects, Port Adelaide.