Paints and painting materials are clustered in piles at The Squatter’s Cottage, whilst Brenda Stace Chat is going back and forth talking about her large and small works spread across the walls and floor of the Studio Room. Bits of discarded thick fishing net rope picked up in Normandy, France and her works in progress from her recent residency at Lighthouse Arts in Newcastle are clearly ingredients for what is being created by her in her March 2025 at The Squat.
Brenda has taken over the Studio Room and there has been no shortage of whimsical expressive mark making. By looking at the marks it is easy to imagine Brenda in whirlwind action, moving fast and slow too across the large painting supports and the large sheets cut off from a roll of Tyvek. It is clear that experimentation with this new material coupled with the delicious swathes of watery phthalo green and earthy siennas from the jar and on her trusty and clearly loved old glass palette has been a joy. No doubt these works with share this sense of joy and liveliness too when they make their way out into the world.
Brenda shared her residency at The Squatter’s Cottage with Ken Hutchinson, a fellow Cowra artist. Working on their own self-directed projects, their work and workspaces were separate however they did share some Tyvek and clearly some coordination planning too. Both are heavily involved behind the scenes for the Artist Run Initiative – Cowra Micro Gallery.
Along with two other Cowra based artists, Shani Nottingham and Linda Chant they have an exhibition at WAYOUT Artspace, a Cementa Initiative 8 March – 27 April, which took them off to Kandos for the set up and opening. With Linda Chant they additionally have work in the Plinth Show: Cowra Micro Gallery at Cowra Visitor Information Centre in March to April.
Brenda and Ken opened The Squatter’s Cottage to participants attending the free Creative Plus Business workshops in Portland in March, generously offering studio visits and presenting their works in progress.
Images 1-8: credit Carolyn Hide, images 9-10 Nic Mason, of Brenda Stace Chat and Ken Hutchinson at The Squatter’s Residency including generously opening their residency studios to the Creative Plus Business workshop attendees
Brenda Stace Chat – Contemporary Australian Artist
Ken Hutchinson (@hutchofella) • Instagram photos and videos
