Maryann Mussared

Maryann Mussared is a professional practicing artist with a multi-disciplinary practice. She studied visual arts at the Canberra School of Art, ANU 1993 – 1995 before graduating from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales in 1997. She has participated in numerous selected exhibitions nationally and internationally. Maryann is also a freelance curator and has a background in community cultural development and voluntary work in the arts sector. She was one of the driving forces in lobbying for the new Belconnen Arts Centre.

Maryann trained in textiles, printmaking, and applied arts. Her work incorporates paper and found objects and has recently included ceramic objects. She is constantly stimulated and inspired and equally terrified by the fast past of modern life and the torrent of information that threatens to overwhelm us each day.

‘Memory Construction’ 2010
Medium: 28 gauge wire, crochet technique
Size: Overall size variable, height: 35 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm

Photographer Maryann Mussared

Background to the work:
I have been a recreational crochet enthusiast for over 40 years. I started by teaching myself a few basic stitches from a book and then creating a shawl to keep myself warm one very cold winter when I was living in England. 

Since then I have used crochet to create forms and in particular vessel shapes that are then immersed in gesso or plaster and re-created as a 3D form. 

Creating the ‘Memory Construction’ series of over 40 metal wire spheres for this small installation was part of a challenge I set myself last year that also saw me exploring clay pinch pots that became spheres as well.

The sphere-shaped objects are inspired by net-like constructions in nature, both random and ordered: tumbleweeds, molecules, and also inspired by spiders webs. Although they look as if they are created in a random manner, the eccentric crochet stitch used allows tension and length of stitch to be varied to create a sculptural shape. If I unravel them, I wonder if the memory of the original construction will be retained?

Photographer Gabriella Hegyes

Maryann Mussared