FINALIST IN THE ALICE PRIZE 2022

I am delighted to share that I am a Finalist in the 2022 Alice Prize at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs from Sat April 9- Sunday 5 June 2022. The Alice Prize is an acquisitive national contemporary art prize, welcoming entries from around Australia, in any medium or theme.

Significant among regional art prizes, The Alice Prize contributes to one of the largest regional collections of Australian art, with works by leading artists from across its near 50 year history.

Coordinated by the Alice Springs Art Foundation, The Alice Prize is judged by an expert selection panel and judge of national standing, with national exposure for exhibiting artists and the opportunity to show in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, the cultural heart of Australia.

Charbagh 2022 India ink, pigmented Ink, mica pigment, polymer acrylic, graphite and polymer gesso on board (marine ply)140x122cm

“Charbagh” is a work on board that contrasts gesture, intuitive process and labour intensive lyrical geometry. My practice focuses on deconstructing geometric stereotypes and exploring spatial relationships within the confines of the picture plane. Pattern and matrices are superimposed and embedded so that no one element dominates - a prime formal strategy underpinned by research undertaken in India, Iran and Southern Spain.  Sarah Mufford Feb 2022

ACQUISITION :STATE LIBRARY OF NSW ACQUIRES DAYS OF WHITE BLUFF CODEX

An artwork that sits very close to my heart and part of my disciplined drawing practice has been acquired d by the State library of NSW. Over the years i have made numerous artists books, usually as an entry into new subject matter or for focussed daily practice. Sometimes, they are all black and white but in this case the book happens to be the noisiest and most exuberant made to date.

Days of White Bluff Codex

Days of White Bluff (Codex) was created as part of the White Bluff Project, a 3year Art + Science collaboration. The work is an investigation of one micro aspect of the site, at the liminal edge where water and land meet. As quoted by Greg Elks, Plant Ecologist, it’s about exploring the “erosion and geology being exploited by nature “.  My practice focuses on natural and man-made pattern and here I found nestled in rock cleaves, tiny ovoid, white Nerite snail eggs all jostling for protective positions. The intention was to record and exhaust subject but adhere to disciplined daily habits that are about intuition and happenstance. From the outset, the intimacy of creating and presenting in book form was the driving force, removing the traditional barrier of framing works on paper. As an artwork it is meant to be held, explored and contemplated. Sarah Mufford 2021

FINALIST IN THE JACARANDA ACQUISITIVE DRAWING AWARD 2022

So chuffed to announce that I’m finalist for a third time this year with “Haft Rangi” selected for the JADA at Grafton Regional Gallery.

Haft Rangi 2022 Found paper, watercolour, pigmented ink, mineral interference pigment, acrylic polymer and graphite on cotton rag 140x140cm

I have been using the repetitive, labour intensive pencil grid system of square and semi-circle as an organising principle for my geometric abstractions for some time. Intertwined is the need to explore figure/ground hierarchies and processes of embedding, overlay and transparency with thinned paint. Key to this is the paper substrate and ensuing happenstance when using water based media on the horizontal.

 

The hand cut collaged matrix of found and altered papers began as a simple way of dealing with the complexities of colour. They are assembled with reference to the technique of overglaze painted tiles in Iran, called “Haft Rangi” (Persian for seven colours). It’s been 6 years since I travelled through India, Iran and Southern Spain, but only now am I beginning to achieve those wondrous feelings of sitting on the cold, tiled floor of a Masjid in Esfahan where pattern descends, envelops and overwhelms.

 

Sarah Mufford April 2022

FINALIST IN 2022 LIBRIS AWARDS THE AUSTRALIAN ARTIST'S BOOK PRIZE AT ARTSPACE MACKAY

Sarah is thrilled to be a finalist in the 2022 Libris Awards at Artspace Mackay, Queensland with “Days of White Bluff:Codex”. Produced as part of The White Bluff Project the work will be featured in the awards exhibition from April 9 to June 19 2022, further information can be found here.

Installation image from The White Bluff Project exhibition at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery Jan 2022, “Days of White Bluff:Codex” Image: Fire and Fly Media

Artist Statement: Days of White Bluff (Codex) was created as part of the White Bluff Project, a 3 year Art + Science collaboration. The work is an investigation of one micro aspect of the site, at the liminal edge where water and land meet. As quoted by Greg Elks, Plant Ecologist, it’s about exploring the “erosion and geology being exploited by nature “.  My practice focuses on natural and man-made pattern and here I found nestled in rock cleaves, tiny ovoid, white Nerite snail eggs all jostling for protective positions. The intention was to record and exhaust subject but adhere to disciplined daily habits that are about intuition and happenstance. From the outset, the intimacy of creating and presenting in book form was the driving force, removing the traditional barrier of framing works on paper. As an artwork it is meant to be held, explored and contemplated. 

FINALIST IN HAZELHURST ART ON PAPER AWARD 2021

o delighted to have been selected as a finalist for the third year running, of the Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award. The 2021 prize exhibition was delayed to open in January 2022 due to Covid restrictions. The exhibition is open until 27 March and you can see more here.

Catalogue: https://issuu.com/hazelhurstregionalgallery/docs/hazelhurst_art_on_paper_award_2021_digital_catalog

Nasir ol Molk 2021 India Ink, Pigmented Ink, watercolour, graphite, and polymer gesso on cotton rag 148 x 163 x 5 cm

nstallation view of 2021 Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award. Work selected: Nasir ol Molk 148 x 163cm India ink, pigmented ink, watercolour, graphite and polymer gesso on Saunders cotton rag Image by Silversalt Photography

My art practice focuses on dissolving geometry by incorporating labour intensive repetition with chance-based processes using the grid and semi-circle as an organizing principle. Nasir ol Molk belongs to a series of 4 large scale works referencing the unique kaleidoscopic light effects reflected onto the tiled interior of the Qajar Pink Mosque in Shiraz, Iran

 It continues my interest in representations of pattern, decoration and the illusory capabilities of the picture plane. Pattern and matrices are superimposed and embedded so that no one element dominates- a prime formal strategy of the Islamic Design tradition.

COMMISSION: CROWN SYDNEY, WOODCUT

New commission for Sunny and Ross Lusted ( ex Bridge Room) @Crown Sydney. Thrilled to be invited to respond to the brief of “Fire Steam Smoke and Ice” from dear long time supporters for their new exciting restaurant at Crown Sydney, Barangaroo.

Winter 2020 50cm diameter Watercolour, pigmented Ink, Flashe, mica pigment on linen (one of 4 )

HAZELHURST ART ON PAPER 2019

I am delighted to be a finalist in the 2019 Hazelhurst Art on Paper Prize at Hazelhurst Arts Centre (Gymea, Sydney). The exhibition continues at Hazelhurst Arts Centre until 17 Nov 2019.

“Biomorphic Dissolve” is a work on paper contrasting gesture, intuitive process and labour intensive lyrical geometry. My practice focuses on deconstructing geometric stereotypes and exploring spatial relationships within the confines of the picture plane. Pattern and matrices are superimposed and embedded so that no one element dominates - a prime formal strategy underpinned by research undertaken in India, Iran and Southern Spain. 

 Sept 2019

Biomorphic Dissolve 2018 India ink, pigmented Ink, graphite and polymer gesso on paper 152 x 129 cm

COMMENDED FINALIST IN HAZELHURST ART ON PAPER AWARD 2017

The 2017 Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award was judged by Denise Mimmocchi, Senior Curator, Australian Art, Art Gallery of NSW. The judge commented that she “found truly exceptional the commended works of Sarah Mufford for Biomorphic.”

So thrilled to be selected as as first time finalist in this award which is held every two years (since 2001), the Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award is a significant national exhibition that aims to elevate the status of works on paper while supporting and promoting artists working with this medium.

Catalogue: https://issuu.com/hazelhurstregionalgallery/docs/hazelhurst_art_on_paper_award_2017

Biomorphic 2017 India ink, pigmented Ink, graphite and polymer gesso on paper 160x141cm

Finalist Opening at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery

NEON SUMMER/ NEON LOCAL Glasshouse Regional Gallery

Glasshouse Neon Summer exhibition, 1 December 2017 - 4 February 2018

So thrilled to be invited by Glasshouse Regional Gallery curator Niomi Sands to exhibit as part of the Summer Festival in Port Macquarie.

The Glasshouse Regional Gallery exploded with a vibrant exhibition of contemporary art from local, national and international artists for the Neon Summer Festival.
Neon Summer featured works by Kate Rohde, Troy Emery, Reuben Paterson, Simone Rosenbauer and JP Willis.
Neon Local showcased the work of local Mid North Coast artists... Sarah Mufford, Adam Murray, Ainslie Ivin-Smith and Claire Johnson.

Catalogue: https://issuu.com/glasshouseportmacquarie/docs/gallery2017_18_whatsonsummer_final_

Sarah Mufford: Neon Local Glasshouse Regional Gallery

FINALIST 2016 JACARANDA ACQUISITIVE DRAWING AWARD (JADA), GRAFTON REGIONAL GALLERY

Sarah Mufford is pleased to announce that her artwork Lotfollah has been selected as a finalist in the 2016 Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA), Grafton Regional Gallery. October 28- 10 December 2016The Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA) is the Grafton Regional Gallery’s biennial flagship art prize, promoting innovation and excellence in contemporary Australian drawing.

Established in 1988, JADA provides an exclusive opportunity for artists to explore the medium of drawing while allowing the Gallery to collect a unique and impressive collection of contemporary Australian drawings.

Touring to Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery, Bundaberg Regional Gallery, Gympie Regional Gallery, Redland Regional Gallery, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, Warwick Art Gallery, New England regional Art Museum. throughout 2017 and 2018

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/grafton/inside-the-minds-of-the-2016-jada-finalists/news-story/a995e0949a572557f47b4a95d1317f65

Lotfollah 2016 Pigmented ink, india ink, graphite, and polymer gesso on Arches

Framed size 135 x 115cm

Artist Statement

 

I recently spent three months in Iran, Southern Spain and India exploring Islamic and pre-Islamic art and architecture concentrating on systems of geometric and biomorphic patterns developed in the regions.  Lotfollah forms part of a series of works on paper completed on my return. This continues my interest in pattern systems juxtaposing intuitive processes of staining and mark making in ink with hard-edged geometry using the grid and circle as a basic unit of pattern construction.  

 

August 2016

Finalist, Artists Book Award 2013, Manly Library

My unique state book, 50 days of Specimens has been selected as finalist in the Artists Book Award 2013, Manly Library NSW. The exhibition is on from !8 March -28 March 2013 at Manly Library.

An artist’s book is a medium of artistic expression that uses the form or function of a 'book' as inspiration.

Every two years the Northern Beaches Library Service holds an Artists’ Book Award attracting entries from around the world. Books are selected from the entries to form an exhibition. From the exhibited books, judges then select books to be acquired and added to the 80 plus artist books the Northern Beaches Library Service holds in their collection. This collection is unique to our community and public library service.

Sarah Mufford Fifty Days of Specimens 2012 23 x 17 x 60cm, Unique State Book , Aquarelle Mixed Media 

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