ELEMENTS ART GALLERY PROUDLY PRESENTS

Coloured Connections
24th March -10th April 2011

BY MUTSUKO BONNARDEAUX
Opening Night: Thursday 24th MARCH 6.30 - 8.30pm

Mutsuko Bonnardeaux 'Listening to the Hills'

Mutsuko Bonnardeaux was born in Tokyo then moved to London where she studied glass mosaic and oil painting while learning English. From there she moved to Belgium to study French and ceramic sculpture. Mutsuko’s language skills led her to work for Japan Airlines out of Paris then after marrying a Belgian she moved to Brussels.

It was the first of a series of moves that saw her live in nine different countries in the following 20 years! A job opportunity for her husband back in 1987 brought them to Australia where she lived in Kununnurra for 10 years and was awarded the prestigious WA Women’s Award for her artistic achievements in the town.

Inspired by the extraordinary beauty of the Kimberleys, Mutsuko began creating her Kumi – E artwork. Using a blend of traditional techniques borrowed from Japanese Chigiri-E [hand torn paper picture] and Hari – E [collages] Mutsuko makes and dyes most of the Kozo [mulberry tree] paper herself. It is the inherent variations in density, colour, surface texture and degrees of transparency that Mutsuko expertly combines to invent this unique style of artwork.

‘I do love working on Kumi –E.… it is almost therapeutic and meditative….although preparing for an exhibition is like preparing for exams !’ says Mutsuko with a smile.

Mutsuko now lives in Perth having spent the last 25 years in Australia. She has earned numerous awards and prizes here including 2008 City of Victoria Park Art Award and the 2009 City of Melville Award for works on paper. Mutsuko has exhibited her work world wide and this is her first solo at Elements.

Mutsuko Bonnardeaux 'Happy Together'

For further information or images of this work please contact Elements Art Gallery manager Deborah Howlett 08 93862000 deborah@elementsartgallery.com.au