Julie Shepherd
Resides: The Redland
Julie Shepherd was born in Rockhampton where she trained as a Registered Nurse and lived in Central Queensland until 1993. After moving to Brisbane Julie completed a Certificate in Textile Design at Moreton Institute of TAFE in 1996 and an Advanced Diploma of Ceramics at Southbank Institute of TAFE in 1999. Julie is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University.
Julie specializes in fine polished porcelain with pierced or translucent decoration on the bowl and sculptural forms.
“The inspiration for this work comes from the natural environment. The patterns are from nature and the fragile appearance represents the precarious balance that exists in the natural environment. The piercing has resulted from looking at electron microscope illustrations of the lacey structures within nature. My love of textiles has had a strong influence on the pierced work. The process of piercing is very similar to using a needle whilst sewing. These pieces have become an expression of my femininity because of the strong linkage they have with traditional female textile crafts. The outward appearance is of fragility; however they have immense inner strength. They represent my love and desire to nurture the natural environment.”
Julie won a graduate award at the Queensland Potters Association Graduate Exhibition in 2000 which lead to her first exhibition Transcendence in 2000 at Fusions Gallery. Julie has had window installations at Craft Queensland Gallery titled Life Forms in 2001 and The Flowering in 2004, and been involved in numerous group exhibitions. Julie's first solo exhibition Enlighten was held at Fusions Gallery in July 2003. Her artwork is held in regional gallery collections and numerous private collections.
Julie has won many awards for her porcelain work which include Memento QLD Merchandise Awards, Lord Mayor's prize for best entry in 2002 and 2001. The 2002, 2003 and 2004 Ipswich Annual Arts Awards, prize for works in 3D, The 2002 Stanthorpe Arts Festival ceramics prize and Pine Rivers Art Award major overall art prize in 2003.