Trial & Fire
CLeeds first solo exhibition was held at Foundry in 2024. The exhibition was a celebration of the artists dedication to observation and experimentation. The exhibition included over 1000 colour samples, test pieces and finished works.
Enamel colours are as true as possible to what she has photographed in her garden.
Close-ups show how she creates dimension in her works by adding impasto enamel relief, reflective bead textures and glass stringers. She often finishes her works with a sugar fire, whereby the grainy enamel softly glistens.
One of these works, Echeveria Afterglow is made up of 49 brooches that required more than 300 firings at 800 degrees celsius to build up the enamel layers.
“A combination of my two great loves: enamelling and succulents.”
On Now
‘Sonder’, Foundry, Bairnsdale. Group show of Foundry Artists responding to the theme of ‘Sonder' - The realisation that everyone has a unique life story. June 11 - August 1 The Sonder celebration event will still be on the same night as Winter Festival Tastes of the World @ Nicholson Street Mall which has been scheduled for July 18th 4 - 8pm.
Upcoming
”Lines and Revelations: Sgraffito Interpretations in Vitreous Enamel’ by the Enamelist Society. The show opens virtually in conjunction with the Enamel 360° conference. It will later travel to in-person venues, including the Emerge Gallery in Greenville, NC, and the 2027 in-person conference.
‘Potted at the Pear’ @ Potted Pear, Bairnsdale. Group show of student works from Rhonda Gray Art School. Opening Night scheduled 16th of July, 2026 5.30pm, with works on display for one month. 151 Main St, Bairnsdale VIC 3875.
‘The Artists' Space’ @ East Gippsland Art Gallery, Bairnsdale 4 December 2026 – 30 January 2027 in partnership with Foundry
Immerse yourself in the creative worlds of ten regional artists, including CLeed, Jill Hermans, Elisabeth Scott, Cindy Tong, Gav Roberts, Deanne Howlett, Penny Gray, Pauline Crunden, Inge de Koster and Wendy Reeve.
Developed by the Foundry Artist Group, The Artists' Space recreates each artist's studio inside the gallery — tools, materials and works-in-progress, not just finished pieces. It grew out of the interest shown by visitors to The Artist's Garden at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. I observed that they were as curious about how something was made as the result itself. I wondered if we could take that a step further. What if they could take part, not just look?
Most artists will be running free creative taster sessions, demonstrations and artist talks throughout the exhibition's run over the region's peak summer season, with paid workshops also on offer. Programming is still being scheduled — sign up to the CLeed newsletter for updates as dates are confirmed.
In conjunction with the exhibition, Foundry is producing a book featuring 29 local artist studios, including all of those exhibiting here — a lasting record of contemporary creative practice in East Gippsland that extends well beyond the gallery walls.
Past Exhibitions
2026
Incognito, Bay 21 Carriageworks, Sydney NSW
Sonder, Foundry, Bairnsdale VIC
Finding Foundry, Meeniyan Art Gallery, Meeniyan VIC
2025
Squared Art Prize, Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy VIC
The Artist's Garden, Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, Carlton VIC
Apricity, Foundry, Bairnsdale VIC
2024
Firkin, Lake Tyers Beach Hall, Lake Tyers VIC – Award Winner
EG Wrap 2024, East Gippsland Art Gallery, Bairnsdale VIC
Alchemy7, The Enamelist Society, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Southern Lights, Foundry, Bairnsdale VIC
Prior to 2024
2023 EG Wrap 2023, East Gippsland Art Gallery, Bairnsdale VIC
2023 Ammil, Foundry, Bairnsdale VIC
2022 EG Wrap 2022, East Gippsland Art Gallery, Bairnsdale VIC
2021 Think Big, Amegilla Gallery, Bruthen VIC
2015 Radiant Pavilion, NorthCity4, Brunswick VIC