Harding Syred Bears by Jo Duckworth

This moment in time feels to me as a defining one, whether or not to proceed into the unknown or be satisfied to stay where I am. I believe I have much more to express as the world has only the limits we set for ourselves and I guess I'm not ready to limit myself just yet.

For the past 18 months I have been madly sketching, cutting, pasting, sewing, writing and colouring. Educating myself in other mediums and disciplines in order to bring it back to my bears. I've been working on a new concept. Re-creating my work from the inside out and refining my skills. Challenging myself and craft to what I hope will become a fine art.

Emergence is created 2004. For the past 3 to 4 years the majority of my work has been going overseas. The internet gives me the ability to produce and display my work in my own time. I find that working deadlines and time frames constrict my creativity and I would rather not commit myself to something unless I know for certain I can carry it through with the same amount of energy it was first conceived. My work output is limited due to the time it takes to gather information, experiment and then bring it all together for it's completion.

I started on a prototype for a new design and 18 months later I am just about ready to complete it. This year I was a guest speaker at the Brisbane Bear Club QLD, Australia where I heard of a women's refuge that the club helps support financially. The charity gives women and their children from all walks of life, the support they need to make it out of an abusive home. I also wanted to help and have decided to donate my prototype of Harding Syred Bears "Flutterby-phant, why not?" to be auctioned for the charity (date of auction to be advised). At the time of writing piece is not yet complete and will be looking at 2005.

I have decided to send an application to apply for a position in the course, Diploma of Fashion Design. Looks like I am proceeding into the unknown.

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