Local Artist Spotlight: Kerrie Warren

Published on 25 January 2022

Local artist Kerrie Warren is excited to bring 'Beneath The Canopies' to the Frankston community and encourages viewers to ‘stop and behold’ the sense of being amongst trees.

Although born in Melbourne, Kerrie’s family relocated regularly, so her childhood memories are a collage of loosely linked impressions that criss-cross the landscapes of Australia’s south and south east. With studios across Victoria and having exhibited her artwork across the world from China to New York, Warren’s works explore humanity’s relationship with nature through large scale pieces using techniques of abstract expressionalism.

"Even though our practices and perspectives are diverse, a connection was drawn through our study of trees as both subjects and backdrops to story. Like individual trees we come together to form a canopy, to create a sheltered place for others to stop and wonder."

Due to lockdowns and changing restrictions, Warren’s plans for an exhibit of a large body of work in Melbourne fell through, however she is currently in the process of planning to exhibit the work at her own studio / gallery next year.

Warren found that the processes and approach of her work tended to slow over periods of lockdown.

Finding ‘solace’ in the bush tracks behind her studio throughout lockdown, discovering a ‘need to walk, go bush and ground [herself] amongst the trees’ which overthrew the impulse and passion to work in the studio. Later connecting with collaborating artists Dr Aunty Eileen Harrison and Darryl Whitaker, it "[seemed] a natural course of events to continue on and bring our diverse practices and perspectives together in an artistic project."

"Like Individual trees we come together to form a canopy, to create a shaltered place for others to stop and wonder."

Kerrie Warren recognised the surreal and collective need and want to be outside in the fresh air – to wander through parks, down tree-lined streets and along bush tracks that was felt throughout lockdown, and imagines that the Frankston City community can ‘take a moment to enjoy, a breath of fresh air through art’.

Though the pandemic provided Kerrie with disappointing exhibit cancellations, she embraced the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues during the changing and challenging times, drawing connections through their study of trees as both subjects and backdrops to story.

Kerrie received an Artist Project Grant not long after hearing the news of her large Melbourne exhibit’s cancellation.

"It means a lot, this is the first grant that I have personally received to fund an artistic project.’’

Frankston Council significantly expanded its Community and Business Grants program during the pandemic to support up to 16 artists and creatives.

Designed to help artists and those working in creative industries to pursue their passion while delivering culturally important work to the community, they included Artist Project Grants and Professional Development Grants.

This was a result of the $6.434 million Relief and Recovery Package, which the council created to help Frankston City recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about artist grant recipients and opportunities for local creatives, subscribe to the Frankston Arts Centre e-news.