Sitter for Portia Geach Memorial Award

Portrait of Me at the Prestigious Portia Geach Memorial Award

Huge congratulations to, Stephanie Galloway Brown.

Stephanie was selected as a finalist in the 2023 prestigious Portia Geach Memorial Award with the portrait me, titled “The Paper Crane”.

This incredible exhibition will be held at the @shervingallery Sydney from 3rd November until 17th December 2023.

Stephanie wrote: Midori Furze is a Sydney-based multidisciplinary artist. Born in Japan, her early years were immersed in the traditions of Japanese culture. She draws Sumi-ink drawings on Japanese paper but Midori is known mostly for her unique origami projects within the community and her incredible installations. Her time is dedicated to teaching adults and children origami which is how I first met Midori many years ago in a paper crane origami workshop. A highly respected teacher, she has been invited to run origami workshops and projects in many places including for the Japanese Embassy. In 2022, she was one of 197 people in the world to be awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for her contribution towards origami in Sydney and Australia-Japan cultural exchange. She was also awarded by the Consulate General of Japan, Sydney in 2016. Although Midori has made hundreds of thousands of paper cranes I wanted to feature her with just one crane crafted with deep care and respect emerging from the protective palms of the creator awaiting release into the world to symbolise hope and peace.

Finalist at Northern Beaches Art Prize 2023

Finalist at the Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize 2023

Artist: Midori Furze
Title: Relax
Category: Works on paper
Medium: Drypoint etching on archival paper/Milk carton, water-based ink, print scribes, etching tool, scissors, ruler, a soft rubber brayer
Sizes: 48x40cm Framed

My art reflects a sense of simplicity and harmony with nature. By using recycled materials to create my prints, I hope to bring attention to the importance of sustainability and the need to protect our environment.

As a Japanese artist, I draw inspiration from the traditional Japanese partitions and doors, which feature four rectangles. In my work, I create unique drypoint prints using old milk cartons as plates. The lines in my prints divide the plate into four sections, revealing the original rectangular shape. I use blank space as an important feature in my art, as it is in many traditional Japanese artworks.

Manly Art Gallery & Museum
4-27 August 2023 (Close on Mondays)