Gabby Malpas video by Michael Curwood

The very talented and all round lovely bloke, Michael Curwood put together this really lovely video about me and my art together
Here's the link:

fabric panel designs

This year I've been experimenting with images that can be duplicated and set up as image panels specifically for fabric in mind

Here are some I made earlier...

leaping rabbit, hidden butterfly - styling shots

Dear Frooters

I've neglected the blog lately but it's not for lack of projects.

Platform72 are now starting to promote my forthcoming show: 'leaping rabbit, hidden butterfly' which is due to open on 20th August.

Some gorgeous styling shots were taken over the weekend of the large two canvases.

Photography and styling by Meredith & Pablo

Gabby Malpas: new cushion covers arrived

These just landed this week.  This is the final print run of cushions for the year and these, like everything else I produce, are limited edition.
Each cushion cover is 100% cotton, machine washable and numbered as a limited edition print.  I'd recommend keeping them out of very direct sunlight and outdoors.
The pattern depictions shown here are the front and back of each cushion.

42 of the spanish poppy (dark purple), and hellebore cushion covers were made and 45 of the poppy and acid begonias cushion covers (with purple piping).

These are in my online store at www.gabbymalpas.com, and will be coming soon to Platform72 and Breathing Colours Gallery soon...

Photos from the show: Where are you from? at Platform72

It was a wonderful night and I was overwhelmed with the support of friends, family and complete strangers who came.
Adoption agencies took an interest and there were representatives from AdoptChange, the Benevolent Society and others.  Helen McCabe, who is on the board of directors at AdoptChange opened the show and was so generous with her time.

Platform72 were just wonderful as always

Gabby Malpas: 'where are you from?' show details

Well the big night is nearly here. 

Full details are on Platform72's website  - please also get in touch if your would like to see a catalogue as a number have already been sold.

The Australian Garden Show - in pictures

Well unfortunately, Sydney did not play nice for the 4 days of the Australian garden show.  The persistent rain meant a very wet weekend and much of the show was very muddy underfoot.  However, the gardeners were not deterred and when the sun finally came out on Sunday afternoon, the show gardens were beautiful to behold.  Here are some random shots of the weekend.

Graham Ross came by for a special introduction of Sarah and her work at Hillandale Gardens & Nursery to his guest audience.

Gabby Malpas at the Australian Garden Show, Sydney Thursday 4 Sept - Sunday 7 September

I'm so excited to be showing at the Australian Garden Show at Centennial Park, Sydney this week and weekend.

My giftware items will be in attendance - plus some items I have made especially for the show

Sarah Ryan of Hillandale Gardens and Nursery fame will be with me offering Garden Consultancy and nursery services - I call her 'Capability Brown Downunder'.

Please come and say hello - we are on Stand 89.

Gabby Malpas at Platform72

I've been working with Platform72 for a year.  They have been fabulous at promoting my artwork and giftware.

They are launching a new exhibition and art space in St Leonards, on the north shore of Sydney.

Exciting!

New melamine products

These limited edition melamine products are now available  at: gabbymalpas.com

On meeting my mother

Earlier this year I posted images of the new work I made to begin my own story.

Around the same time I was asked by Banana writers to write a piece about meeting my birth mother.  As an asian and transracial adoptee, I realise that this is unusual - the luck of being born in a country with diligent record keeping and being given the opportunity to look.

I have followed a number of blogs over the years and read a lot of personal stories from transracial adoptees.  The resounding sadness I sense is from people feeling like an outsider for all or much of their lives and the knowledge that due to their own circumstances, the chance of finding their own birth mother is slim.

My story is here.  If anything, I wanted to tell these people what happened to me - I was lucky, and yes, finding my birth mother changed my life in such a positive way I am truly thankful.

New big canvas with a personal story

Dear 'Frooters'

If you've been following the blog you'll know I've recently started working on canvas.  I wanted to do this to work on some personal stories that have been living in my head for years but until now, I wasn't able to communicate them in the way I wanted to. 

Until now.  Here is a finished work - the first I hope of more in this vein:  the title of this piece is:
'When did you find out you were adopted? (you're shittin' me -right?)'

I was born in NZ and adopted in 1966 at 10 days old into a white family with 9 children. My parents took me at an age when they should have been looking forward to an empty nest and in the days before there were support groups and help books. All my life I have been asked by people where I'm from or how old I was when I found out I was adopted. My reaction to these questions has mellowed over the years - from anger/frustration, to telling the full story within minutes and jokes about family resemblance.

This is an attempt to convey this with humour but also the love: the obviously different race mother and child, the chinoiserie, full moon and flying fish in the garden - nothing is quite what it seems.
The title: well, it jarrs a little bit with the image but that is also the intention - something so detailed, and painted with care - given a fairly crude, but what I hope is a humorous title.

 And here is the progress of the work.  It probably took a month - 6 weeks all up:

A lovely Easter weekend to you all!