Many Moods
Wooloongabba Art Gallery 2019
In Nov 2019, the Island Arts Collective curated a powerful Exhibition called ‘Many Moods’ that was displayed at the Wooloongabba Art Gallery. ‘Many Moods’ was an exploration of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), through the lived experiences of the collective of Island artists. A view from their lenses, of the moods of the Island portrayed in photography, woven sculptures, woven mats and gathered seeds. Paula had three works in this exhibition: Clancy’s Sun, My Mother’s and Kviten.
Clancy’s Sun
In 2018, the Island lost a beautiful son named Clancy when he was only 19 years old. His mother/Paula’s soul sister Donna, asked Paula to make her a sun for the Follow the Sun Festival to celebrate his 21st birthday. Over six weeks Paula poured her heart into Clancy’s Sun and as people passed through her home studio, she would pass them bits of coloured raffia and invite them to add to the sun. Clancy’s Sun shone its rays of love, hanging on the tepee, at the inaugural ‘Follow the Sun’ festival, held in May 2019. Clancy’s Sun also hung in the Wooloongabba Art Gallery in Nov 2019 as part of a collaborative exhibition ‘Many Moods’. Clancy’s Sun now hangs proudly at ‘Oasis on Straddie’ lovingly watching over his family every day.
Xavier Rudd filmed the video for his song, ‘Follow the Sun’ here on Minjerribah years ago. Clancy was one of many local kids that starred in the video and they have a deep connection to this song. If you get to see that video again, towards the end of the video there is a couple of seconds of Clancy where he grabs his board from Xavier and does this cool skid into the water. That was Clancy and this is Clancy’s Sun.
Clancy had a wonderful albeit short life and lived every moment to its fullest. He is such an inspiration in Paula’s life and gave her the courage to transition from full-time scientist to full-time artist so that she would live her fullest and happiest life and make every precious moment work. Clancy’s Sun shines brightly every day and reminds everyone to make time to play. Life is just too short.
Artist: Paula Boo
Medium: Banana, Bangalow Palm, Monstera, Ponytail Palm, hand-dyed raffia and cane pith.
Dimensions: 1.8m diameter
My Mothers
This piece honours Paula’s mothers who have come before her with their many talents which were necessary for survival rather than seen as art. In contemplation about the incredible talents that they developed through their lifetimes, Paula was inspired to create a series of sheath skirts stitched with hand-dyed raffia representing her mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers from which she is a descendant. ‘My Mothers’ speaks of Paula’s motivation as an artist and her journey through the many moods of her life on the Island.
Artist: Paula Boo
Medium: Bangalow Palm Sheath stitched with hand-dyed raffia.
Dimensions: Seven pieces arranged in a space approximately 1.5m by 1.8m
Kviten
Paula was inspired by the pattern from her great grandmother Marit Kviten’s beautiful crocheted work that she created over 80 years ago. Her sister hand delivered it from Canada to Minjerribah/Tjerrangerri/Terrangee (North Stradbroke Island) to Paula's home where it is treasured as a priceless work of art.
The design in Kviten portrays the connectedness we all share with each other and those who have come before us.
Artist: Paula Boo
Medium: Bangalow Palm, hand-dyed raffia, Banana
Dimensions: 70cm diameter
