The Artist
Cheryl Garson is a disabled visual artist with over 34 years of experience transforming concepts into compelling works across digital and traditional mediums. Cheryl specialises in collaborative storytelling, multimedia installations, and sustainable art practices. Cheryl creates with purpose and precision; focusing on themes concerning humanity's interactions with nature.
Cheryl considers herself to be an environmental artist. She plays a vital role in advocating for ecological awareness and sustainability through her creative expressions. By blending art with environmental activism, Cheryl hopes to inspire audiences to appreciate and protect the natural world. Her diverse approach and impactful work continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about environmental issues.
The Person
The importance of environmental protection, the love of nature, and sustainable living had been instilled in Cheryl Garson from an early age thanks largely to her doting grandparents and their regenerative farming practices and the search for beauty in nature. Their respect for the planet has led Cheryl to walk in their footsteps and embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle, permaculture ideals, and homesteading practices.
Growing up in the city of Toowoomba (within the Darling Downs region of Queensland), Cheryl was fortunately exposed to community botanical gardens, National Parks, urban homesteading practices, frugal living, and a flourishing vegetable patch maintained by her parents. Throughout her life, Cheryl strived to maintain a connection with nature whether it may be family camping trips, birdwatching field days, bush walks, or nature art journalling.
Cheryl has a permanent disability - a closed-head Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) which she obtained in 2004. Due to the severity of this injury, Cheryl had to quickly re-learn how to walk, talk, eat . . . and manage all of her Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) with little or no assistance. It has taken Cheryl a while to physically achieve these milestones, and even longer psychologically to cope and accept her 'new life' with a TBI. Cheryl is extremely blessed to have two very helpful and supportive children, a loving family, and loyal steadfast friends who never left her side. Cheryl gives thanks all these wonderful people that have shown unwavering encouragement and support throughout her recovery.
Art Curriculum Vitae
Cheryl Garson's art CV outlines her artistic experience over many decades. Cheryl specialises in printmaking, textiles, mixed-media creative storytelling, and sustainable art practices. Cheryl has experience as an Art-In-Residence for the education sector. Cheryl has relevant knowledge and skills in curatorial work and arts events management.
Exhibitions
The following is a list of past exhibitions - both solo and group - that Cheryl Garson has presented.
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The Nature of Things to Come
Solo Exhibition
'The Nature Of Things To Come' art exhibition
Warwick Regional Art Gallery, Queensland
April - May 2024
'The Nature Of Things To Come' art exhibition explores the future - offering both apocalyptic visions and utopian ideals of environmental sustainability. The art highlights the complex social issues and urgent environmental concerns of a rapidly changing world.
Image: excerpt of 'Settlement II' by Cheryl Garson (2023)
Media: textile paint, hand stitching, natural-dyed scrap fabric, machine sewing, lino-printing, screen-printing
Stages of Grief
Group Exhibition
'Stages Of Grief' art exhibition
FireWorks Gallery, Brisbane, Queensland
22 Dec 2016 - 15 Feb 2017
Image: excerpt of 'Bright City Lights' by Cheryl Garson (2015)
Media: digital photography, screenprint, acrylic paint on canvas
The 'Stages Of Grief' art exhibition explores the framework of the emotional journey many people people experience after a loss - as defined by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Themes are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing, acceptance.
Bare Essence
Group Exhibition
'Bare Essence' art exhibition
Doggett Art Gallery, Brisbane, Queensland
August - September 1997
Image: excerpt of 'Vortex' by Cheryl Garson (1995)
Media: fine felt-tip pen on paper
The 'Bare Essence' art exhibition explores simple, minimalistic visual space; the human ideas of 'nakedness' and 'bare minimum'; and the philosophical concepts of 'void' and 'nothingness' using various 2D & 3D art mediums.
Alchemy
Group Exhibition
'Alchemy' art exhibition
Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Toowoomba, Queensland
November 1990 - January 1991
Image: excerpt of 'Water: Alchemy' by Cheryl Garson (1990)
Media: resin-relief screenprint on paper
The 'Alchemy' art exhibition delves into pagan symbols and motifs of the Four Elements, reflecting the alchemical quest for transformation, a desire to obtain a deeper spiritual knowledge, and mystical connection with the natural world.