Alison Lee Cousland

Alison is fascinated by many different art modalities: particularly drawing and watercolour. She also loves making objects: from the tiniest of hand-held talismans and pouches to site specific sculptures and installations.

Her ephemeral assemblages are slow and contemplative with intuitive, precise placement.

 Photographs of these arrangements are embellished with natural materials and rephotographed. These photographs are further enhanced with subtle drawing and stitching: As well as bound Eco Curios: Her name for her ‘treasures’ made from natural elements, held together in transparent resin.

 ‘Revealing beauty in the ordinary, the overlooked and neglected, alongside acknowledging the healing and regenerative power of nature are the themes of my artwork.  

My infatuation with oyster shells in 2020 inspired my current project of drawing attention to the need for the restoration of the oyster reefs in my local Sydney Harbour area. By combining land art, photography, drawing and mixed media with natural materials, this multilayered work exemplifies my wish to co-create with nature and wherever possible, support the well-being and regeneration of Earth. The sharing of this project is just one way that as an artist, I feel I'll contribute to making our world ‘turn the right way up’ once again.’ ~Ally. 

Alison is not so much influenced by the artwork of other artists, but more how they fulfilled a life that allowed their unique creativity to grow and blossom. For instance: Claude Monet and his contemplative garden, Giverny and Georgia O'Keeffe's desert sanctuary.

Alison graduated from Prahran CAE with the Diploma of Art and Design and from the State Collage of Victoria, with the TTTC.