Artist Boogaard helping South Perth artists Evolve

THE quirky characters that Bonnie Boogaard creates are inspired by the tactile nature of art, an idea she is looking to share with others.

The Curtin University graduate is one of the artists who will lead sessions as part of the City of South Perth Evolve program from Saturday until September 28.

The events arr open to all members of the community, including emerging and established artists.

Boogaard will lead a session on September 8 at the South Perth Library Function Room about needle felting, which involves using a needle from a felting machine to jab into wool fibres to create sculptures.

“I’ve loved art since I was a kid because it plays an important role in shaping society,” she said.

“I’m particularly interested in textiles because they are so tactile; they can be soft or rough.

“Every day we hold some kind of material and so it is something that is intimate.”

Boogaard said she was looking forward to teaching as part of the program for the first time.

“I’m going to be introducing a medium that not many people know about and so I want to make it accessible to them,” she said.

“I want them to create creatures because it never turns out the way you think it will.

“Dogs cans become giraffe and I don’t want people to get upset.

“There are workshops being held using materials that you wouldn’t have at home, so people can learn something new.”