ABOUT
The Artist
Fran Ifould’s practice is defined by three pillars; LAND - FIRE - WATER,
and is deeply influenced by environmental stewardship through art and science collaboration.
Her work encourages visions for a future while shining light on issues beyond our urban landscapes, exploring through field study residencies across urban and regional Australia - often creating Plein Air works in the natural environment or around the outdoor fire before traditionally printing and hand-colouring in her studio.
Ifould’s work takes the opportunity to draw the viewer's attention to our need to prioritise our environment if we are to maintain our social structure, and to question our moral compass in regards to the fragility of our lifestyle. She asks the viewer to consider our responsibility of tenure for our planet and to seek fresh perspectives on a cleaner, healthier environment for generations to come.
She believes first-hand knowledge is critical for understanding ecosystems and creature habitation in every space, and bridging the gap between artists, biologists, geologists, writers, and government officials is her life’s passion.
EARLY CAREER
Following high school Fran studied Ceramics at East Sydney Technical College, in Italy and Japan.
While owning a pottery school and gallery which sold her own work and catered for almost 100 students per week, Fran met Garry Palecek, a potter from Vancouver in 1979, subsequently moving as newlyweds to Braidwood during 1980. Both were Japanese trained. They settled into Tallaganda Pottery, in a national trust registered, main street premise to make and sell their wood and oil-fired ceramics, and raise a family.
Years later, Fran was to retrain as a traditional signwriter, leading to a prominent career in public art. An offer of a Post Graduate position at the Canberra School of Art in Print-media and Drawing, eventually rolling into a Masters, saw her retrain into an art practice based in paper. Since graduating in 2008, she mostly uses, though not exclusively, Hahnemulhe cotton rag and hand deckled art paper, print techniques, natural dye, inks, gouache, and acrylics. The 3D and textural quality of wood fired Ceramics still influencing her work, with the sculptural forms of book making a particular favourite.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2006-2009
1996-1998
1972-1974
Masters Art, Visual Art, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT
Traditional Signcraft Certificate 3, Canberra Institute Tafe, Canberra, ACT
Ceramics Certificate, East Sydney Technical College, Darlinghurst, NSW
RECENT SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021
2017
2016
2014
2011
Fire Water Land Retrospective at Leeton Regional Gallery NSW
Main Street, Altenburg Gallery, Braidwood, NSW
Foyer Snapshot-Importance of Culture, Goulburn Regional Gallery, Goulburn NSW
Braidwood Iron corroboree- Works on Paper, Altenburg Gallery, Braidwood, NSW
Environmental Roulettes-Artists Books, Goulburn Regional Gallery, Goulburn, NSW
Water-Water, HannahFyre Gallery, Braidwood, NSW
PRIZE FINALIST EXHIBITIONS
2023
2020
2016
2014
2013
2009
20
Manly Library Artist Book Prize
Goulburn Art Award, Regional Gallery, Goulburn, NSW
Goulburn Art Award, Regional Gallery, Goulburn, NSW,
Goulburn Art Award, Highly Commended, Goulburn Regional Gallery, Goulburn, NSW
NSW Parliamentary Plein Air Art Prize, NSW Parliament, Sydney, NSW
Goulburn Art Prize, Winner, Goulburn Regional Gallery, Goulburn, NSW
Kalleen Art Prize, Cowra Regional Gallery, Cowra, NSW
Goulburn Art Prize, Goulburn Regional Gallery, Goulburn, NSW
EXHIBITING ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD STUDY PARTICIPATION
2019
2015
2013
2012
2010-12
1995-2020
2007-2010
River Return; Shoalhaven River study, NSW
Shoalhaven Visions, Braidwood Two Fires Festival, Braidwood NSW
Contemplating Climate change, Australian National University [ANU], Eden, NSW
River Connect, ANU, Shepparton, Vic
Contested Landscapes, ANU, Cumberland Plain, Western Sydney, NSW
Braidwood Iron Corroborree, Braidwood, NSW
Engaging Visions, ANU and the Murray Darling Basin Authority, Qld, NSW, Vic, SA
EXHIBITING MEMBER OF; Southern Highland Printmakers, Megalo Print Studio, Braidwood Regional Arts Assoc, Wagga Wagga Art Society