Warwick Art Gallery, from time to time, organises one off events, residencies or community project outside of our scheduled exhibition program.  

Casting Off 

Alison McDonald residency

July 2016 

Casting Off was commissioned by Warwick Art Gallery for Jumpers & Jazz in July 2016.

Warwick Art Gallery approached Alison to design a semi permanent artwork that reflected the Jumpers and Jazz in July festival vision and branding. The artwork needed to communicated the festival’s priority to provide visual art that is surprising and creative. Key inspirational themes included Humour, Wrapping, Disguising, Softening, Pattern, Texture, Repetition and Colour.

"The typical crocheted ‘granny square’ rug made from left over bits of wool is something we are all comfortable and cosy with, just like our relationship with plastic, particularly single- use plastics. The colourful Casting Off may appear cosy or even fluffy from a distance, but when you get close it is prickly, symbolising the continuing conundrum we all share about what to do with plastics at the end of their life. This artwork highlights the massive amounts of plastics that clog our waterways and draw our attention to the stewardship and responsibility we owe our sea creatures."  Alison McDonald

Warwick Art Gallery received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through the Visual Arts and Crafts Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments.

The project also received support from Bunnings Warehouse Warwick and Celtis Grove Bed and Breakfast Warwick.