Moorookutchi
by Sophy Blake
Moorookutchi is the Gubbi Gubbi word for the Black Swan and is where the name Maroochydore came from. The swans are created using recycled materials which include wire, polypipe, solar hot water heating rubber and buckets. Sustainability is incredibly important to me when creating artworks, and to reinvent someone elses rubbish into artwork continues to be a driving force for my creations.They highlight the local sunshine coast ecosystems and how fragile these are and so important to sustaining the incredible flora and fauna that flourish from these beautifully balanced and natural phenomenons. Black swans used to be prolific in the waterways of the Sunshine coast and this artwork is a gentle reminder that we need to look after our incredible environment so species like this can continue to thrive.
Recycled materials including wire, polypipe, solar hot water heating rubber and buckets.
If you have any enquiries about this sculpture or interested in purchasing it, please feel free to reach out to our team at stevensstreetgallery@gmail.com or call the gallery on 0494 022 174.
As an independent gallery, we collaborate closely with our artists throughout the sales process and buyer introductions. We encourage our artists to personally deliver their sculptures to their new homes whenever possible, as it provides a unique opportunity for both parties to connect.
Sophy Blake
Sophy is a multidisciplinary artist specialising in ceramic sculpture, illustration and sustainable sculptural works.
Sophy is based on the Sunshine Coast in Australia and much of her art reflects the beautiful natural world that she resides in.
She graduated from SCIT with a diploma of visual art in 2010. Her ceramic practice focuses on sculptural forms and she is committed to making her ceramic process as sustainable as possible. All her works are fired in a solar powered kiln. She also enjoys the raku process and does this in a portable wood fired raku kiln. Sophy has received awards for her work in local and interstate exhibitions.
She began her career in the visual arts after graduating from university with a teaching degree majoring in art. In these formative years in Melbourne she created illustrations for childrens books and mural painting in many venues around the city. She has recently returned to illustrating work and is focusing on some exciting projects.
She also creates large sculptural works which endeavour to use as many recycled and sustainable materials as possible. The found materials are put together with techniques Sophy has developed over the years. These works usually have a theme related to conservation and the use of recycled materials mean the artworks have little impact on the environment. She has received awards for these sculptural works over the years.
Sophy is a qualified teacher and runs private and public workshops sharing her many skills and techniques from her home studio as well as at various public events and festivals.