Clearly corroborated by her large-scale sculpture Portland Blues onsite at The Foundations, lines are so important to Penelope McKeown. Next to the Annexe, Penelope’s rusted steel sculpture, interacts repeating the lines and shapes of the natural and built environment whilst also pointing to and framing views of this place. She welded and pounded this splendour into being onsite during an earlier residency The Squat.
Returning to the Squat in May 2025, this time Penelope has been spending time painting and drawing inside with watercolour, gouache and oils. She has been activating the studio room, the studio/bed large room and the sunroom. Her paintings and drawings being created at The Squat are extending from her recent plein air works created in her south coast Lilli Pilli studio. The physical energy of Penelope’s act of drawing is captured by the force of the movement seen in her marks. Then there is that love of line shared from her sculpture to her drawing and painting. Mark making of semi-abstracted forms are materialising on paper and canvas from cups of gorgeous reds, greens and earthy hues chatting away in the sun. The Squat’s cosy fireplace loungeroom also evidences some sculpting of wax forms in the warmth.
As a return Artist in Residence, Penelope’s love language bestowed upon this place has included the new introduction of an apt and jooshed-up kitchen cupboard, walls painted, new curtains, donated appliances and some wholesome deep cleaning and fixing. Our hearts and spaces have been warmed.
The community, buoyed through Harrie Fasher Studio, The Foundations and The Squatter’s Residency is one worth fostering. With a mix of both new and return residents to The Squatters, a supportive kinship spirit is sustained. Penelope has also been tending to The Squatter’s garden with Ellen Ferrier, also an Artist in Residence at The Foundations.
Penelope’s most recent group exhibition was with four other Squatter’s Residency artists Robbie Flowers, Margaret Hogan, Stephen Hogan and Annabel Mason. Five Ways mentored by Harrie Fasher was exhibited at Maunsell Wickes in Sydney 15 March – 30 March 2025.
Images Credit: Nic Mason, Penelope McKeown and her sculpture at The Foundations in May 2025.
