Workshop | Chrysalis: Waste to Art | Minka Gillian

Join artist Minka Gillian to explore the transformative power of recycled materials. In this workshop you will discover how to regenerate rubbish into a small, Chrysalis netted sculpture, turning waste into art. This hands-on experience invites you to weave personal stories and creativity while highlighting the potential for beauty in everyday materials. You will be guided through the process of turning everyday waste into art, demonstrating how creativity can breathe new life into materials often overlooked.  Both beginners and experienced artists are welcome.  

Minka will introduce you to her installation Mind Garden and discuss some of the concepts behind her choices of materials, their impact and artistic possibilities. You will then learn basic techniques for working with recycled manmade materials, with plenty of room for individual experimentation and innovation. Materials and tools will be provided but the participants are more than welcome to bring some of their own materials. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have a unique piece to take home, along with a deeper appreciation for the artistic and environmental significance of using recycled materials.  

Artists’ Biography 

A practicing artist for over 20 years, Minka lives and works on the Central Coast, NSW. She makes sculpture, installation, painting, drawing and public art. Minka has had over 12 solo exhibitions and has been in numerous group shows around Australia. Her work is held in the Artbank collection and in the QT Hotel in Auckland. She was a highly commended in the Gosford Art Prize and commended in the Blacktown Art Prize. 

Image Credit: Minka Gillian | Mind Garden, 2023 | Image courtesy of the artist