February 27, 2015
SCULPTOR TRACEY DEEP
“I always knew I wanted to be creative, working with nature gave me the tools to explore where this would take me and over time the path crossed over to a more sculptural form of my floral sculpture practice,” says Tracey Deep, a florist turned sculptor and installation artist. She exhibits consistently in her hometown of Sydney and has a base of regular clients who commission her for work to place in public spaces, including Sails in the Desert in Uluru and the Wolgan Valley Resort in the Blue Mountains. Tracey says she started to get private commissions for her wall pieces and sculpture installations through her work with interior designers and architects. The Macquarie Group has also acquired works for its collection. “When I had my first exhibition it created a perfect avenue for people to discover my work and see it on a larger scale,” she says. Tracey will hold her eighth exhibition in September at The Depot Gallery in Sydney.
Which five words best describe you? Passionate, sensitive, playful, whimsical, happy.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Worked in different flower shops, firstly with Susan Avery who decades ago gave me my first opportunity to play with flowers. Secondly, with Alison Coates who gave me total freedom to play with nature and explore all possibilities. Then I took off and decided it was time to take my floral practice to another level and started floral sculptures, which is now in its second decade. Through my exploration with nature, my sculpture has evolved over the past decade, inspired by nature and using found industrial, organic and recycled materials, I create works through weaving and transforming pieces from their original state to something totally new. They tend to have a light, playful and whimsical nature, and throw beautiful shadows.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? If you love what you do, you will find your path.
What’s your proudest career achievement? My very first exhibition and every one that followed. My eighth exhibition opens in early September at The Depot Gallery.
What’s been your best decision? To always stay true to yourself.
Who inspires you? Mother Nature is a source of huge inspiration, and a list of wonderful sculptors and artists: Bronwyn Oliver, Rosalie Gascoigne to name a couple.
What are you passionate about? Sourcing materials, playing with ideas, making new works. This is what feeds my heart and soul, and gives me inspiration every day.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Frida Kahlo, such an amazing spirit and soul, produced such inspirational work and was so passionate.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To travel internationally with my art. Would love to create art in different parts of the world, from materials found and rescued in these areas.
What are you reading? Gustav Klimt: drawings and watercolours. I love all artists that have an association with nature in their work.
images courtesy of tracey deep