Biographical Statement
I am a Brisbane-based emerging artist with a background in graphic design. Now holding a Bachelor of Fine Art from the Queensland College of Art, my training included painting, printmaking, jewellery and art theory before majoring in sculpture. Whilst studying, I began exhibiting and received both academic awards and awards for my sculptural artworks.
Sculpture is now the primary artform driving my practice and I create works for gallery exhibition and outdoor public art. I always endeavour to create artworks layered in meaning to allow the viewer their own unique reading. My sculptural practice is split between two different mediums with differing concepts underlying the work. Materials, the method of construction and conceptual relationships are all important in my work and I always try to find connections between them. I employ a number of fabrication techniques such as carving, braze welding, crochet and weaving in the creation of these artworks.
My art practice is largely inspired by society, the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living things. My copper-based artworks demonstrate a sensitivity to the delicate balance of life. The artworks I carve from dishcloth sponge all comment on contemporary social issues pertinent to Australia. The bright colours of these sculptures and installations are alluring yet have serious social issues underlying their facade. Although these themes and intentions underlie all of my artwork, concepts continually evolve as the interests of individual commissions are incorporated. I believe no work is hermetic and the audience and location are given thoughtful consideration in relation to each piece I create.
Curriculum Vitae
Academic History
2008 Bachelor of Fine Art, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University
2001 Diploma of Graphic Design, Design College Australia
Exhibitions
2010 'Drop' solo sponge installation, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
2010 ArtsCape Biennial, Byron Bay, New South Wales
2010 Churchie Emerging Art Exhibition, Dell Gallery Southbank, Queensland
2010 Moreton Bay Art Award, Pine Rivers, Queensland
2010 Stanthorpe Art Festival, Stanthorpe, Queensland
2010 BEAF (Brisbane Emerging Art Festival), Fortitude Valley, Queensland
2010 Linden Postcard Show, St Kilda, Victoria
2009 Woollahra Small Sculpture Exhibition, Double Bay, New South Wales
2009 I Am, Studio 13, West End, Queensland
2009 BARI Festival, KILN Gallery, Paddington, Queensland
2009 Bucket Down, Ivory 24-7, Artisan, Fortitude Valley, Queensland
2009 Swell Sculpture Festival, Currumbin, Queensland
2009 Fragile Nature, Brisbane Library, Brisbane, Queensland
2009 Synergy, Redland Regional Gallery, Cleveland, Queensland
2009 Tales from the Cold Chost III, 19 Karen, Mermaid Beach, Queensland
2009 Vegas Spray Online Launch Show
2009 Churchie Emerging Art Exhibition, East Brisbane, Queensland
2009 Chapman & Bailey Artworkers Award, Metro Arts, Brisbane, Queensland
2008 Art Quirks, Toowoomba Regional Gallery, Toowoomba, Queensland
2008 Launch Travelling Scholarship Exhibition, Metro Arts, Brisbane, Queensland
2007 Exit Strategy, Queensland College of Art, Southbank, Queensland
2007 Reviving Feminism, QUT Dusk Wine Bar, Gardens Point, Queensland
2007 Churchie Emerging Art Exhibition, East Brisbane, Queensland
2007 Out of the Shed, Queensland College of Art, Southbank, Queensland
2006 Emerge, Queensland College of Art, Southbank, Queensland
2006 Fresh, Circle Gallery, West End, Queensland
Professional Experience
2010 Sponge workshops, Queensland Art Teachers Association
2010 Artist Talk for 'Drop', Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
2010 Children's workshops, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
2010 Award Director, Lethbridge 10 000 Small Scale Art Award
2010 Public Art speech delivered to Queensland College of Art students
2010 Redland Art Gallery Advisory and Acquisitions Panel Member
2009-10 Redlands Young Champions Judge, Cleveland
2008 Queensland College of Art Peer Mentor
Publications
Arts Gallery (image), Map Magazine July 2010
Kids Soak up Crafty Event, Lea Emery, News Mail, 5 July 2010
Carly's sponge success, Bayside Bulletin, 8 June 2010
Profile: Carly Kotynski, Paillon, Winter 2010
Review by Emily Wakeling, Artworker, Issue 4, 2009
Bottles, bronze prove swell artists materials, Samantha Turnbull, Gold Coast Bulletin, 10 September 2009
What a swell sculpture, Bayside Bulletin, 8 September 2009
The Art of Motivation, Suzanna Clarke, Courier Mail, 5 September 2009
Creative sculptures, Southern Bay News, 29 May 2009, cover page
Sculptor shows talents, Southern Bay News, 29 May 2009
Carly's art in the Spotlight, Bayside Bulletin, 26 May 2009
Artnotes - Queensland, Art Monthly Australia, October 2008
New artists explore old themes with fresh ideas, Sandy Pottinger, 4 October 2008
Stretching the boundaries, Tonya Turner, Courier Mail, 24 May 2007
Catalogues
Churchie Art Award catalogue 2010
ArtsCape Biennial catalogue 2010
BRAG Exhibitions and Public Program Jan-June 2010 (with cover image)
Moreton Bay Art Award catalogue 2010
Swell Sculpture cataglogue 2009
Churchie Art Award catalogue 2009
Art for Life, Mater Mothers' Hospital Art Collection
Exit Strategy, Queensland College of Art Graduate Show 2008
Commissions
Commissioned Public Artwork for Robina Hospital Courtyard, Robina, Gold Coast (to be installed November 2010)
Concept Design for Kangaroo Point Park Promontory Pods, Brisbane
Commissioned Public Artwork for Wesley House, Brisbane
Advanced Concept Design for Northbridge Tower Artwork, Brisbane
Commissioned Artwork for Mater Mothers' Hospital, South Brisbane
Awards
2007 Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society Art Award - Sculpture Category (First Prize)
2007 Oxlades Prize - Sculpture
2007 Griffith Award for Academic Excellence
2007 Churchie Emerging Art Exhibition - Sculpture/Object Based Category
2006 Griffith Award for Academic Excellence
Collections
Mater Mothers' Hospital, South Brisbane
Toowoomba Regional Gallery
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Various private collections