Arts & Crafts Professional:Floral Sculptor - Tracey
Deep (1967 - )
Tracey Deep
is an Installation artist using organic and industrial recycled materials
and creating living sculptures with indigenous flora. Tracey Deep is a
creative adventurer and a biology enthusiast. From the ‘far north’ to the
‘deep south’ our plant sculptor has accumulated her own cabinet of curious
natural specimens.
"Tracey Deep has a deep connection with nature. Growing up, Tracey was
always fascinated with the natural world, she’d collect pebbles on walks,
red gum chips from the school playground, and fallen Autumn leaves. She’d
present her findings in a very curated manner and call it her ‘collection’.
What she didn’t know at the time, was that these early fascinations were the
early carvings of her future career.
Upon leaving school, Tracey trained as a florist, and learned the ropes
under the tutelage of well known florists Susan Avery and Alison Coates.
During this period, Tracey was able to investigate Australian native flora
in all of its uninhibited glory. She started to use the sticks, leaves,
branches and anything else she could get her hands on to create
three-dimensional art works with a uniquely Australian sensibility.
Eventually, Tracey went on to work for herself as a florist, while
continuing her floral sculpture projects. Her sculptures began to grow and
grow, and soon she found herself undertaking large scale installations.
These days, Tracey takes on private sculptural commissions alongside her
floristry practice. Her creative drives comes from her endless fascination
with the Australian native landscape, a passion that still brings Tracey
much joy and wonderment.
Tell us a little about your background – what did you study and what
path led you to what you are doing today?
Art was always my first love. It was always my favourite subject at school,
and I started collecting art books from a very young age. Also at this age,
I started to collect pieces of nature that drew my attention, such as
textured leaves and rocks featuring patterns and shapes. I created my own
little private collections of little things I had found, and I think this
was the starting point for everything that eventually followed.
Following school, I started working in flower shops. I first worked for the
talented Susan Avery, where I had the opportunity to explore flowers of a
wide variety, and to study nature’s wonderment up close. I then worked for
the very talented Alison Coates, where I started to think more about
textures in nature, and was able to take my floral practice a step further.
I eventually went out on my own, and it was here that I began to combine
everything about nature I loved, in particular our rare and stunning
Australian bush flora, pods and textures. I started creating floral
sculptures firstly for myself, but then for a wide-ranging audience. The
next natural extension for me was creating larger scale sculpture and
installation art, with an emphasis on shapes, patterns and textures all
inspired by mother nature and her surrounds.
How would you describe your work?
I am deeply inspired by nature. My work is playful, sculptural and whimsical
with an emphasis on patterns, shapes and textures. Shadow also plays an
important role in the spirit of my works.
Can you give us a little insight into your creative process?
It all starts from sourcing the right materials, which then inspires the
creation of the piece, which in turn comes to life through installation.
Repetition of material creates patterns that seem to give off a sense of
energy and vibration, almost like a living organism from the natural world.
Then shadows appear, which becomes a sketch of the work, the spirit etched
onto walls or ceilings, leaving its mark.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
It’s usually an early start at the flower markets, where you can find me
sourcing unusual materials for an event installation or filling flower
orders for the day. It’s then usually a mix of site meetings, installing a
commissioned work, or preparing works for an upcoming exhibition. It’s
always important for me to combine both commercial work with my own private
projects.
Most days I also try and fit in a walk in the park, as this is my moment of
total relaxation.
Tracey in her studio in
Redfern, Sydney (Source: Lorrie Graham)
What have been one or two favourite recent projects or commissions?
I recently worked with inspiring interior architect George Livissianis on
the Dolphin Hotel. I created some installation pieces for the interiors and
lighting.
I also worked with incredible stylist and guru Megan Morton on a Christmas
in July event at the Wolgan Valley Resort. Here I created floating
installations inspired by the Australian bush. One of my oldest and earliest
commissions was at the same resort, so it was lovely to be able to revisit
this work and pair it with something new."