Winner of the People's Choice Award at 2024's Auckland Art Awards, Cathy Brickhill creates out-of-this-world textile sculptures based on the flora and fauna that fascinates her on excursions into the wilds of Aotearoa.
Discover Cathy's inspiration and passion with us below!
WHAT DO YOU MAKE / HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ART PRACTICE?
I design sculptures made of sewing threads, and I have worked in the sewing industry for years. Mainly as a dressmaker, doing all sorts of dress design work for individual clients, tailoring, pattern making, curtain design, leather work and hand embroidery work. I am a self-taught artist with background training in botanical illustration. I have developed my art practice over many years through trial and error and lots of experimentation. I use all types of sewing thread for my artwork, including silk thread, rayon, cotton, wool, metallic, and upholstery threads. All of my work is experimental, which is so exciting! I never know how each one will end up; they form organically as I complete each sculpture.
Hoiho Penguin
HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN - WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION FOR THE ARTS COME FROM?
I was taught how to sew by my mother and my grandma, and was eager to learn at the age of 5. I’ve always been strongly independent, and always wanted to create, but I never knew if I wanted to go down the fashion or art route, so I decided to combine them both. I am very disciplined and thrive on working hard. My artwork really started to take off once my first daughter was born. Being surrounded in nature, and always being outdoors gives me endless ideas to create my artworks. I’m very lucky that my lifestyle block in Dairy Flat backs onto a large section of native bush that spans for miles.
Cathy tramping at Lake Waikaremoana
WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION AS AN ARTIST?
Inspiration for me is everywhere! I breed rare butterflies at home, where I built a huge five-metre enclosure to rear them, including species such as the Red Admiral, Yellow Admiral and Monarchs. All of these butterflies are endangered due to the introduced wasp species that prey on the caterpillars. The New Zealand Butterfly Society supplies the eggs and caterpillars to me, and I provide a suitable habitat for them with lots of fresh plants and a suitable environment to safely emerge as butterflies.
Enjoying lovely views of Turangi & Lake Taupo
I love off-road running and I get lots of inspiration during workouts! I do lots and lots of hiking, usually solo, just myself and my camera, venturing off early in the morning on DOC tracks into native bush and I get an endless amount of ideas. I’m inspired by native trees, fallen leaves, fungi, lichen, birds, insects, shells etc. I usually take a sketchpad with me when I travel, also a wooden press – in which I collect seaweed samples (which I press into different forms) and sketch them when I get home.
NZ Bird Feathers #4
Photography is another passion of mine, particularly photographing New Zealand birds and all the many incredible species we have in New Zealand. I’ve just done a solo tramp throughout Rakiura Island. Being woken up in the morning to screeching Kaka, and having Stewart Island Kiwi greet you on the track, is just mind-blowing and absolutely magical. My next venture is Arthur’s Pass, to find the endangered Rock Wren, which I will hopefully get the opportunity to photograph.
WHAT IS YOUR STUDIO/CREATIVE SPACE LIKE?
My sewing studio is huge! It takes up the space of a large lounge. I currently own six different sewing machines, each with a special purpose, one machine that I use for my artworks. I have two tall custom made wooden spool holders that contain my sewing threads, and two large trolleys that contain my smaller threads, in all colours of the rainbow. I work on a 3 metre wooden table, where I lay out all my sketches, ideas and finished artworks, and a special area where I keep my specimen samples such as feathers, shells, seaweed, lichens and more. Lighting is crucial for my work, as I often sew late into the night, so I have installed lots of spotlights. It’s a clean tidy space, I can never work in a mess, as I like to be really organised.
Werewere Kōkako Fungi #2
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING & LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND (AOTEAROA)?
I love the serenity of driving up north, which only takes 50 minutes, and you find yourself at a beautiful secluded beach such as Tawharanui. The fact I can drive from the east coast to the west coast within an hour, and the variety of scenic spots! So many bush walks, mountain biking tracks, mountains, and so many opportunities to go exploring!! With my artwork, I regularly tour the country to exhibit at art shows, and I squeeze in some venturing off to a remote spot so I can make use of my time wisely before the chaos of the art show begins. I love being around people, and talking all about my artwork in detail, and meeting so many different types of people, but I also love being in my own company – I think this is really important as it gives me a sense of balance.
NZ Kidney Fern & Lichens
WHAT DREW YOU TO WORKING WITH THE POI ROOM?
The Poi Room has been my favourite gallery for years, a personal favourite to buy gifts for friends and family. I have an amazing work relationship with Melanie-Jane and Clayton, they make an awesome team, and the staff are equally approachable and friendly. I’m so lucky to have the Poi Room honour my artwork, I feel very privileged.
Thank you for your time and this wonderful insight into your creative practice, Cathy!
Rangitoto Island at Sunrise