Meet Meagan, an artist and maker from Albany, Western Australia, who founded Semblance to share artworks that highlight the beauty of imperfection and the poetry of found objects. Her unique pieces, featuring wildflowers, sea glass, broken ceramics, and shells, are rich with memories, nature, and stories.
As the recipient of the Sydney SS25 Regional Program (our first in this new program for Sydney!), Meagan will bring a touch of the country to Carriageworks this November. Her stall will display a new collection inspired by her coastal environment and rural roots, with each piece carefully crafted, thoughtfully collected, and deeply meaningful. We spoke with Meagan about her creative journey, her passion for the overlooked and discarded, and what this chance means for her as a regional artist showcasing her work in Sydney.
What does being selected as a recipient of The Finders Keepers Regional Program mean to you and your business?
Being selected as a recipient of The Finders Keepers Regional Program has absolutely flawed me, actually. It was such a thrill to find out I had been selected.
What does it mean to me and my business? It’s massive! I could say so many things. In a nutshell, it’s been really good for my self-esteem. As an older maker/small business owner, things have changed unrecognisably since I first started my business full-time in 1997, particularly in relation to social media and marketing. I’ve struggled to keep up. Since ‘97, I’ve married, had 2 children, lived in some pretty remote locations, raised a child with a multitude of disabilities, cared for ageing parents and managed to keep my business afloat. There have been times of great self-doubt. Being selected as a recipient of the Regional Program has given me back some much much-needed confidence.
Your work transforms found objects like wildflowers, sea glass, and broken ceramics into one-of-a-kind artworks. Can you share what draws you to these materials and how you decide what to use in a piece?
I grew up on a farm in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia, where our dad was a very observant person who cared deeply about the natural environment. He invested a lot in revegetation and had a sharp eye for noticing small changes, sharing those observations with us. I also share his love of nature and appreciation for the small details in life. He was always bringing something home in one of his old Capstan Navy Cut tobacco tins!
Many of your materials come from op shops, garage sales, and even your dad’s farm. What’s the story behind sourcing and collecting these treasures?
I’m part of a generation of kids raised by parents who simply didn’t throw anything out! We were very resourceful, and I think finding objects to use in my work is an extension of that. I also love that a found object sparks your imagination as well. You start thinking really creatively about how you can repurpose something that has been discarded. It makes you feel a bit hopeful about consumerism when you find something at the op shop that lights you up. Additionally, there are some strict rules around collecting and using shells from the beach in artworks for sale. Besides finding shell necklaces at the op shop, I buy my shells from Australian and overseas suppliers. Shopping second-hand hopefully keeps the price of my work affordable.
You’ll be launching a new collection at The Finders Keepers. Can you give us a little sneak peek of what visitors can expect to see?
I have some exciting new colour schemes combining shells and semi-precious stones, such as tourmalines from Afghanistan. They are stunning!
For many of our visitors, this will be their first time seeing your work in person. What can they expect when they visit your stall?
I’ve tried to bring a really wide range of designs and colours. A little bit of something for everyone. I’m also promoting the possibility of returning to Sydney to run some workshops!
Regional makers often bring something really unique to the table. How do you think your rural roots shape the story behind Semblance?
I think lots of rural people are really interesting. I’m not sure whether I fall into that category or not, but I know a lot of really interesting characters from rural backgrounds. They always have a good story to tell!
What questions do you want our market-goers to ask you?
“How do I sign up for one of your workshops?” I would absolutely love to come back to Sydney or Melbourne to run one of my workshops!