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We are proud to present Elissa Gjertson’s inaugural exhibition and cordially invite you and your guest to join us as we celebrate her show. Please contact us at the gallery with any enquiries.
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CLICK HERE TO READ THE EDITORIAL FROM BEACHES COVERED MAGAZINE HERE
Exhibition Statement:
“Optimism. That’s what I want to be known for.”
– Elissa Gjertson, Artist + Plastik Kembali Founder
With a planet struggling under the weight of a waste crisis, it can be daunting, and even depressing, to try to find solutions amongst the ongoing challenges. Through art and creativity, however, we can find a new way forward.
This is the inspiration behind the work of Elissa Gjertson, Artist and Founder of Lombok-based Plastik Kembali.
According to Gjertson, “Optimism must be a core element to help us work together to reimagine waste materials.” This collection illustrates how Plastik Kembali is an active part of this solution. One based on art as an agent of social change … art as inspiration … art as a tangible source of optimism to help us reimagine a way forward.
October 16, 2024, 6:30 - 8:00pm
October 19, 2024, 2:00 - 3:00pm
October 25, 2024, 6:30 - 8:00pm
BORN
St. Cloud, Minnesota, 1974
BIOGRAPHY
Elissa Gjertson’s artistic journey has meandered through a variety of forms over the past 40+ years, with a particular interest in global and indigenous art.
From early on, Elissa connected with one idea: “creativity” – whether, as a child, she was drawing under her father’s table in his painting studio or crafting near her mother’s sewing cabinet … performing on stage in high school or building theatre sets in college … playing guitar and writing songs for an all-girl alt country band … co-founding a creative design agency focused on frank communication … co-authoring a personal development travel book on how to create an imaginative life … building upcycled furniture from thrifted and found objects … and so much more.
It was her move to Lombok, Indonesia in 2019, however, that spurred the inception of her new studio, Plastik Kembali, as she explored her interest in creating art from plastic waste – and the culmination of her creative life came into focus.
Today Elissa conceptualises new ways to reimagine waste materials of all types, from plastic and textiles to natural fibre and wood – working closely with her team to translate her concepts into artworks that honour Indonesian artistic traditions. Her creative inspiration pulls from a vast bank of traditional and contemporary folk-art techniques as well as modernist art, abstract expressionism, and colour field painting.
Elissa operates closely with her local community waste infrastructure program, as well as collaborates with plastic banks and recycling centres around the archipelago to source the recycled plastics that become the base materials for all her artworks. Recycled textiles are sourced from hospitality and textile company partners in Java and Bali and from individual donations.
Elissa credits her family for her artistic enthusiasm. A major, formative influence includes learning traditional fibre arts, such as macrame, cross-stitching, weaving, and knitting from her grandmothers, aunts and mother. Perhaps this is why Plastik Kembali’s art showcases an affinity for these traditionally feminine art forms that are practiced by various folk artists worldwide.
Today, Plastik Kembali consists of Elissa and her team of nearly 30 local artisans, the majority of whom are women. While the collective and their work has grown in scale, their goal remains to address one of Indonesia’s biggest challenges – plastic waste – through one of its greatest strengths, traditional folk art.
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
1992-1996 Creative Advertising & Design, Women’s Studies | University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
INDIGINEOUS ART & DESIGN EDUCATION
2019 Traditional Back-Strap Loom Workshop | Sukarare, Lombok, Indonesia
2019 Rattan Weaving Private Instruction | Beleke, Lombok, Indonesia
2019 Pandan Fiber Weaving Private Instruction | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
2018 Twining Workshop | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
2018 Batik Private Instruction | Pandaan, Java, Indonesia
2018 Indonesian Art Discovery Workshop | Surabaya, Java, Indonesia
RECYCLING ART & DESIGN EDUCATION
2019 Recycling through Injection Molding, Bope Studio | Chiang Mai, Thailand
2019 Plabric Creation, Bope Studio | Chiang Mai, Thailand
2019 Precious Plastic Recycling Academy | Online
2017 Upcycled Product Design Workshop | Hayward, Wisconsin, USA
2017 “Collage for the Soul” Workshop | Hayward, Wisconsin, USA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Omah Budoyo Gallery / ArtWeeks | Jogjakarta, Java, Indonesia
2023 Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan | Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
2023 John Hardy Boutique & Gallery | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
2023 W Hotel | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
2023 Klub Kembali | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023-2024 Nyaman Gallery | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
2023 ISA Gallery | Jakarta, Java, Indonesia
2023 Potato Head Beach Club | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
2023 Suara Fest | Nuanu Village, Bali, Indonesia
2022 G20 Future Village | Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
2022 Museum NTB | Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Marriott TA’AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa | Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia
Four Seasons Resort Bali At Jimbaran Bay | Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia
W Hotel | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
Lombok International Airport | International Arrivals Hall | Lombok, Indonesia
Boni Beach | Serangan, Lombok, Indonesia
Segara Lodge | Serangan, Lombok, Indonesia
Villa Kotak + Kaleng Kollective | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Sempiak Seaside Resorts | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Tropik Lombok | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Bruga Villas | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Burudika Villas | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Makasea, Private Motor Yacht
Private Buyers | Jakarta, Java, Indonesia
Private Buyers | Jogjakarta, Java, Indonesia
Private Buyers | Bali, Indonesia
Private Buyers | Singapore
Private Buyers | Dubai
Private Buyers | Australia
Private Buyers | New Zealand
Private Buyers | Netherlands
Private Buyers | Switzerland
Private Buyers | Germany
Private Buyers | France
Private Buyers | United States
Private Buyers | Canada
Elissa Gjertson is available for commissions for public and private spaces.
Harvey Galleries was founded by the Harvey family in 1994 with an eye to establish a dynamic and inclusive contemporary art space on the North Shore of Sydney. For almost three decades we have expanded our reach to over three gallery locations and an ever expanding stable of the best artists Australia has to offer.
Harvey Galleries acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands upon which our galleries stand. The Guringai people (Seaforth), the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation (Sydney), and the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation (Melbourne).
We pay our respect to Elders past and present.
Password and the invitation to view will be sent to you as soon as the exhibition preview opens.
Always be the first to know about exhibitions, events and new art releases.