Jude Reid

Whilst Flinders is well known for its natural beauty, like many of the Bass Strait Islands, we have a substantial problem with introduced plants such as African Boxthorn and kikuyu. In recent years our coastline has also become infested with sea spurge. I have enjoyed the challenge of attempting to create something aesthetically pleasing but also 'useful' from these weeds, particularly the boxthorn, as in these works its large spines suggest the threat posed to our natural environment by these invaders.

My ceramic eggs were inspired by the amazing collection of bird's eggs at our local museum. I have experimented with a number of different finishing techniques including burnishing, wood and paper-kiln firing, wax and boot polish.

Sculptor Jude Reid has largely worked in sand, Papier Mache and wire, but has recently extended her practice into exploring basket-making and weaving. Jude is often invited to community festivals as a guest sand sculptor and has featured at a number of events including; 'Burnie Shines' (2006), the 'Port Sorell Regatta' (2006), 'Bridport Splash' (2004 & 2005) and CoastCare's regional conference, Swansea (2001). In 2003 she organised 'FIZZA' - the Flinders Island Sand Sculpture Arts Festival inaugural event.

In 1988 she was the winner of the Melbourne Comedy Festival's 'FIRST AUSTRALIAN CAKE SCULPTURE TRIENNIAL - THE RE-EMERGENCE OF CAKE AS A SCULPTURAL MEDIUM' at the Meat Market Craft Centre, North Melbourne. She has exhibited work in several Flinders Island group exhibitions, as well as the 'STRAIT WORKS' exhibition that toured to the Snake Pit Gallery in Launceston in 1996.