From invasive vine to award-winning wearable art—local artist Vivien Eardley is set to wow audiences at this year’s Mary Valley Art Festival.
Vivien will bring with her two stunning pieces that have graced the national stage at the Australian Wearable Art Festival, based on the Sunshine Coast.
A self-taught, intuitive artist working under the name Cats Claw Creations Australia, Vivien first discovered her medium during a 2017 basket weaving class at the Mary River Festival, using the notoriously invasive Cats Claw Creeper vine.
With encouragement from the wearable art festival curator, Wendy Roe, Vivien entered the national festival in 2019, winning both the Sustainable Nature Award and Emerging Artist Award.
Since then, Vivien has been selected as a finalist each year, again winning the Sustainable Nature Award in 2024.
Her biodegradable, eco-conscious works celebrate the intersection of nature, sustainability, and artistic expression.
The Mary Valley Art Festival runs from 24-27 July, and Vivien will showcase two of her acclaimed wearable art designs at the festival close on Sunday 27 July at Imbil Public Hall.
Joining Vivien’s pieces will be a curated selection of other wearable artworks, demonstrating the sheer creativity and diversity that defines this genre, where fashion breaks the rules and art steps off the canvas.
This exhibition offers a rare opportunity for regional audiences to engage with works featured in The Australian Wearable Art Festival, which returns to the Sunshine Coast on 8 August at Venue 114, Bokarina.
Entries close this week for the annual Mary Valley Art Festival, which offers awards including the RJR Property Best in Show award of $2000, and $1500 for the Open winner from Gympie’s Bendigo Bank.
This year’s judges are Dr Lisa Chandler, Adjunct Associate Professor in Art and Design at UniUSC, and teacher and natural history artist Jim Cox.
The gala awards presentation will be held on Friday, 25 July from 6pm, with Dr Sharon Hogan as EmCee.
Tickets available on Eventbrite.
All details at maryvalleyartslink.com.au
