COLLINS, Zara
Sydney, New South Wales
Zara Collins has a BA (Visual Arts) from Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney University. Collins has exhibited in major juried shows nationally and internationally since 2000. In 2003 Collins was awarded an artist-in-residency to Beijing by the Australia-China Council.
“The flotsam and jetsam of Asian flea markets, op shops and grocery aisles are what inspire me. I see potential in the everyday and ephemeral – colours, textures, patterns and patina- that provide the basis for works both lasting and unique.
The notion of transformation underpins not only my practice but my pieces, and is particularly evident in my current focus on contemporary jewellery. Here I have tried to communicate the grace of the commonplace – embedding Japanese newspaper into resin bangles; transforming silver-dipped chopstick ends into earrings; and giving the generic Chinese chopstick a new life as bracelets and necklaces.”