It was such a treat to watch Courtney’s jewellery-making first-hand in the Coorong Life studio. I’m keeping an eye out (hint, hint!) for her micro Coorong shell pendants or little crab pendants to drop soon - Kate
Artist Bio: Courtney Hogan is a Jeweller currently making in Melbourne/Narrm after spending several years in Adelaide at JamFactory on Kaurna Country.
While Courtney focuses more on jewellery and stone setting techniques within her practice, she also creates the occasional larger magical objects. These objects have elements of surrealism and narrative focussed illustrations with strong linework and symbolism. These ideas are drawn from personal experiences or the natural world around her.
Q:What surprised you most about your time at Coorong Life?
A: I loved the sense of calm from the being in at Coorong Life. I went for a walk one day at Parnka Point which isn’t far from the house by car and only saw one person. Visually I was most surprised by seeing kangaroos hop across the water in the Coorong because I didn’t realise how shallow it was. It was also really nice feeling the whole day pass by sitting in the artist studio with all its windows.
Q: How did the Coorong landscape shape or influence your art during the residency?
A: It’s a good place to notice the small details and bring you back to the moment. Whether it’s looking out for footprints of emus, kangaroos or other wildlife to all the tiny shells on the Coorong sand. It’s quite flat around there so you can also feel's a very open sense of space, particularly when the sunsets.
Q: Can you share a moment of stillness, connection, or inspiration that stands out?
A: I found myself being really present during my stay down there. I was lucky to have some clear nights, which meant being able to see all the stars after some bright orange sunsets.
Q: What did a ‘typical day’ in your residency look like — or was there no such thing?
A: A typical day for me was waking up, making a matcha and bringing it down to the water to have a walk and drink it. I’d walk as far as felt right and head back to go work in the studio. One of the days I went into town to have a look around and another drove for a walk on another part of the Coorong. There was lots of time spent outside, and if I wasn’t outside I was able to be beside many windows letting the sun in.”
Q: What piece of advice would you give the next artist or guest staying at Coorong Life?
A: Advice for the next guest staying at Coorong life would be to pack a few books, some pencils and some binoculars. There’s lots of wildlife to see down there. I got particularly into collage during my stay, so you could always pop into the local opshop in Meningie for some old books if you wanted to have a go at that! Bring some good walking shoes too as there’s lots to see.
