A solo exhibition that evolved from the artist's research into a significant native animal has opened in Wodonga.
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BEE happy is Albury textile artist Donna Caffrey's exploration of honey bees and native bees through collage, fibre and stitch and garden-friendly fabric sculpture.
Caffrey said she was fascinated by what she learned about native bees and the fact Albury-Wodonga boasts three species of the native blue-banded bee.
Now showing at Creators Art Space Wodonga, some of the BEE happy pieces, such as the bee sculptures and embroidery, focus on the creature itself.
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Other works look at food sources and habitat while some are "simple creative play", with interesting snippets on bees included.
"My images are playful and happy," Caffrey said.
"But I want viewers to be reminded that the bee is important to us and our world."
Largely self-taught, Caffrey is part of a group of textile artists with works showing in various NSW galleries.
Off the Beaten Track, a joint exhibition, has just finished at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery and now moves on to venues in Cessnock and inner west Sydney.
The artist said she revisited collage for BEE happy.
"I forgot how much I enjoyed the process," she wrote in her blog.
"I stitched. I played with fibres. I put my hand to simple prints. Some of the prints ended up in collage or on linen.
"I have been in my happy place and I found that having several works on the go enables me to think through and finalise or discard ideas."
Creators Art Space is an initiative run by artists that aims to promote and encourage regional artists.
Caffrey is also offering a workshop where participants will make a garden-friendly fabric sculpture of an insect of their own choice.
