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This is a conceptual work dealing with the circle of life forms of the Patterned Fens, a special ecosystem found in Cooloola and on K’gari. A vast interconnected network of wire rush or spreading rope-rush (Empodisma minor) features clumps of tightly woven rushes interpenetrated by fresh water canals. Small openings of water are known as flarks. Above the flat marchlands, […]

This coming Thursday March 13 at 10am the first workshop for 2025 in making paper from weeds will begin at the entrance to Fay Smith wetlands in Neptune street Maryborough. There we will gather some weeds to take back to Papernicus paper studio where paper artist Zela Bissett will be conducting a full day workshop teaching participants how to turn […]

Sessions fortnightly Date and Location activities equipment Thursday March13 Collect weeds Fay Smith Wetlands, Neptune street Maryborough. Meet near the entry sign. Wear gloves and closed in shoes. Take weeds to Papernicus studio 92 Carnaby St Bidwill for processing Collection site will be Fay Smith wetlands in Neptune Street Maryborough. Wear work clothes and closed in shoes. Gather, chop and cook […]

Hayley (left) and Zela with Vashti (right) raise a toast to the textile show they helped hang at Springsure’s Bauhinia Bicentennial Gallery.

Zela Bissett’s exhibition, Wildly Woolly, shows wool felt used to create wall hangings, landscapes and images of scenery, garments and functional items. The works portray some of Australia’s iconic beaty sports including Tasmania’s Lake St Clare, the wildflowers of the Sunshine Coast, the Autumn leaves of Victoria’s cool season and the birds and animals of the sub-tropical wetlands. Techniques used […]

New works by paper artist Spring in the subtropics! What artist could fail to be inspired by the riot of colour that surrounds us now? Vast vistas of lilac jacaranda blossoms on the tree and lavender carpets underneath! Rich scarlet, magenta and cerise bougainvillea rioting from the fences! The bright green of the fresh grass encouraged by the gentle rain! […]

It is now 6 weeks since the day my partner and I drove away from our previous home of 23 years in Gympie. The move has brought us to 2 acres near Maryborough, the town where I was born and educated. Since I am involved with FIDO, the watchdog of K’gari, it makes sense to be closer to the island […]

Paper of Weeds: Utilising the weeds of K’gari Education and employment proposal modelled on NT Arnhem Djurra example Transforming K’gari’s weeds into paper by Zela Bissett K’gari is a World heritage listed Tourist Mecca. However there are a number of biosecurity issues besetting this island, and one of them is invasive weeds. Weeds are defined as non-native plants growing out […]

When an artist has been working in the studio, often in relative isolation, it can be confronting to see the work in a gallery space. The Gympie Regional Gallery has done a lovely job of hanging my recent works in botanical paper and wool felt in a way that helps the viewer see both my finished work and the emotional […]