Episode 163 - Coco Elder, landscape painter and ceramicist

Episode 163 - Coco Elder, landscape painter and ceramicist

Author: Fiona Verity, Julie Nicholson and Gary Seller September 12, 2023 Duration: 39:41

Send a text

Coco Elder - The Never Never is on at Art2Muse Gallery until 18th September. 
Bellingen Arts Trail 10-12th November 

'My artwork is based on observations of the landscape and flora, notably in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, and more recently in the Bellingen Shire. My initial study in Landscape Architecture has inspired my interest in geology and indigenous botanical landscapes. Overtime, I have witnessed the bush thrive in the wet, fight or recoil in the dry, and brought back to life after the fires. I hope to transcribe reverence for the Australian bush and to reveal the mysterious and alluring qualities of our native plants and the lie of the land.

The natural landscape presents as an intriguing paradox. Up close, the bush is an unruly entanglement of prickly menace; from a distance, are distinct interlocking shapes that can be ordered by the eye into Cezanne's geometry. Patterns that appear on the macro level are reiterated at the micro. Whilst bodies of water lead the eye in and outwards through reflections, there is a mysterious chasm in time, yet it also appears infinite. Shadows of texture hem and define vibrations of light. I endeavour to capture some of these subtle ambiguities in my work.

I retrace the place, coming closer to the essence of form, yet ironically remove it, by carving back through the surface. The image becomes a visual description that blends aspects of botanical documentation (like the early Australian artists); a journey through nature, (influenced by Japanese scrolls); and a personal expression through patterns of whimsy, and reflections on the past inhabitants, the Carigal and Gumbaynggirr people, whose presence are keenly felt.'

thanks Coco for your time and good luck with the Bellingen arts trail! 


There's a fair bit of nonsense that comes with trying to make a life in the arts, something Fiona Verity, Julie Nicholson and their host Gary Seller know all too well. Their Art Wank podcast cuts through that with honest conversations and a good dose of Aussie humour. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in a studio or a pub, listening as these three curious artists dissect their own creative journeys and the wider art world. They bring on a fantastic mix of guests-practicing artists, curators, gallery owners, and teachers-to get real about the business, education, and personal hustle behind the paintings and sculptures. It’s not just theory; it’s practical advice, shared failures, and the occasional triumph, all wrapped in the kind of banter that makes the whole scene feel a lot less intimidating. Tuning into this podcast offers a genuine sense of community, whether you're an established creative, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone who appreciates the messy, human side of making art. You’ll find yourself nodding along, laughing, and maybe even rethinking what it means to build a creative life, all while they navigate the ins and outs of the industry with a wry smile.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

Art Wank
Podcast Episodes
Episode 241 - Sky's the limit with Sulman prize Winner, Gene A'hern [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:49
Send a textJoin Australian abstract artist Gene A’Hern, winner of the 2025 Sir John Sulman Prize, for a laid-back conversation about colour, atmosphere and the feeling of landscape. Gene talks openly about his process, w…
Bonus Episode 239 - Fiona Verity the National Art School years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:37
Send a textToday we’re bringing you a special bonus episode of Art Wank to celebrate the graduation exhibition of our very own co-host, Fiona Verity. Fiona has been knee-deep in her studies, working tirelessly to create…
Episode 238 - Art and the Unscripted World of Zoe Young [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:06
Send a textZoe Young is an Australian painter whose work spans still life, portraiture and abstraction. She studied at the National Art School in Sydney and earned her BFA in 2012. Zoe currently has a show on at Sophie G…
Episode 237 - Harrie Fasher - Bending metal and breaking rules [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:17
Send a textWe interviewed Harrie Fasher, sculptor and artist, at her large studio in Portland NSW in November 2025. She is a permanent artist in residence at The Foundations in Portland and has built a bronze foundry and…