Artist's Statement
I have painted and drawn from an early age and discovered the joy of fabric and stitching when aged 13. My art explorations continued throughout my life while living in the Australian Bush, working as a Registered Nurse, teacher, farmer, saw mill owner and activist for social justice.
Nursing taught me to feel compassion and understanding of the human condition – this guides the content of my work. Farming led me to growing my own flock of sheep, learning to shear, spin and dye using native plants from my own land. Patchwork and quilting followed on from this. Teaching forced me to educate myself about all forms and expressions of art and being a sawmill owner taught me persistence, a sensitivity to my environment, and sculpture from found and shaped timber and machinery. From my social justice involvement I learnt that something amazing can be created from hard work and love and that following my heart was where my strength was to be found.
My work is my primary focus of my life. Every day is devoted to photographing, designing, painting, stitching, dyeing, drawing, printing, learning, looking, playing and researching. Over time I have learnt many skills to help me express visually what I am trying to say in my art. My work speaks of personal experiences from my life, my friends and my travels. I ask myself “How can I say what I want with thread – what color, what technique, what texture, what emotion, what else?”
My inspiration comes from both the external world and my inner world: The Myall Creek Massacre in Australia, the Killing Fields of Cambodia, the cycle of birth and death, women’s roles and issues, the search for justice, the environment both macro and micro and finally, the textures, the threads, the weaving, the unraveling, the mending of myself.
Resume
EDUCATION
Tertiary
2020
Semester I Full Time Honours - leave due to COVID.
2018 - 2019
Bachelor of Art & Design. Southern Cross University. Completed.
2017
Certificate IV Training and Assessment - iLearn Queensland - online. Completed September.
2015 - 2016
Diploma of Visual Arts at North Coast TAFE, Lismore Campus.
2014
Enrolled in Undergraduate Degree of Visual Arts, Southern Cross University, Lismore.
Annual Grade Point Average (GPA) 6.67 during 2014 Academic Year.
2001 – 2002
Visual Arts (three units only) Open Learning, Curtin University. WA (Distance Education) Introduction to Sculpture, Ceramics, Painting, Jewellery Making, Textiles. Average mark 86.33%.
1999 – 2000
Graduate Diploma in Education – Primary. (Distance Education)
1999
Photography: An Introduction. RMIT, Melbourne. Certificate of Completion (D)
1992 – 1999
Bachelor of Arts, New England University. Communication & Design (Distance Education)
Secondary
1974
Higher School Certificate, Oxley High School, Tamworth.
TAFE
2006
Certificate II in Information Technology. Tamworth
1990 – 1993
Desktop Publishing, Touch Typing, Word Processing.(Certificate of Attainment)
1991
Literacy Volunteer Training. (Statement of Attainment) Inverell
1983 – 1989
Fashion Retail Advanced Course. Inverell, NSW. TAFE College. Needlecraft, Commercial Advanced Certificate
Other Education
2007
Certificate of Achievement: Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
2006
Intel Master Trainer – Certificate of Completion
2005
Responsible Service of Alcohol. Provide Responsible Gambling Services (Statement of Attainment)
1984 – 1987
Community Nurse, Bingara. Training in Audiometry, Podiatry, Grief counselling. Certificates
1978 -1980
General Nurse Training, Armidale Hospital. Certificate. (RN)
1975 - 1978
Psychiatric Nurse Training, North Ryde Psychiatric Hospital. Certificate. Registered Nurse
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2018
Part Time teaching Lismore TAFE Campus.
2000 – 2007
Primary & High School teacher – Part Time & FT. Art, Computer, Design & Technology, Personal Development, Languages, Year Advisor, Girl’s Secondary Advisor
2002 – 2003
Permanent Part-Time Teacher (Principal’s Release) – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
Computer teacher for Bingara Adult Learning Association.Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher,
Casual teacher St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Barraba
2002
“Work Experience Counts”. Facilitated seven week course sponsored by Bingara Adult Learning Association and Bingara Neighbourhood Centre. Skills for women returning to work.
2001
Casual Primary teacher, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Bingara
2000
Full time Teacher’s Aide, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Bingara
1999
Part time Teacher’s Aide, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Bingara. Special Education and Computing
1994 – 1996
Owner, Partner/Office Manager, Bingara Cypress Pine Sawmill
1993 – 1996
Typesetter, photographer & writer for The Bingara Advocate, Bingara. NSW (Set up the paper onto computer)
1988 – 1994
Farm owner & manager – cattle & sheep – wool used for natural dyeing & spinning
1985 – 1993
Community College teacher of sewing, using sergers, patchwork, quilting & computing
1994
Part time window and store display – H. Fay and Sons, Bingara
1988 – 1996
Full time child carer (mother). Managed farm and stock “Hazeldean”
1984 – 1987
Community Nurse, Bingara District Hospital
1983
Home Nursing for Home and Community Care (HACC), Bingara
1978 – 1980
General Nurse Training, Armidale and District Hospital
1975 – 1978
Psychiatric Nurse Training, North Ryde Psychiatric Centre, North Ryde.
VOLUNTEER WORK
2002 – 2006
Set designer, set builder, photographer, ticket designer, poster designer, costume designer, costume maker for “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” and “Educating Rita” North West Theatre Company, Bingara NSW.
2003
Mentor for Reconciliation History Project, State Reconciliation Council. NSW
1998 – 2007
Foundation Member, Treasurer/Organiser, Myall Creek Memorial Committee.
2000 – 2007 Tour Guide Myall Creek Memorial site
2003
Photographer for documentation of re-development of the Roxy Theatre, Bingara
1991 – 2001
Member Roxy Theatre Restoration Committee
1998 – 2001
Treasurer Bingara Junior Cricket
2000 – 2001
Treasurer and President Bingara Toastmasters
1999 – 2001
Member Bingara Tourist and Economic Development Committee
Judge of various poster, art and design competitions held by local schools.Judge of Craft, Needlework and Photography at Bingara and Warialda Agricultural Shows
1996 - 2000
Member Bingara Arts Council
1993 – 2000
President BALA (Bingara Adult Learning Association). President and Secretary, Bingara Central Schools Band Fundraising Committee. Assistant Secretary, Bingara Central School, P & C Organisation (4 years). Treasurer, Bingara Blue Light Committee (3 years). Bingara Central School, canteen volunteer. Taught sewing Bingara Central School – Primary. Bingara Pre-School Committee
1975 - 1978
“Soup Patrol”, Wayside Chapel, King’s Cross, Sydney
ART RELATED
EXHIBITIONS
2020
'CONTROL. ABUSE. KILL. She'll Be Right, Mate!' Lismore Regional Gallery June, July and August (ten weeks)
2013
Solo Exhibition of all work. Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, Warialda, NSW.
2012 – 2013
“The Unfinishable” tour of the United Kingdom
2012
“Fiber in the Present Tense”. The Arsenal Center for the Arts
2011
Online “The QCC Doily Project” (http://paulette-hayes.com/qcc---splothering-qcc.html)
2011
“Art of the Personal Altar” Group Exhibition Featherstone Center for the Arts
2011
“Moshup Trail”. Gayhead Gallery - Group Exhibition - Invitation
2011
Vineyard Haven Public Library – 2nd Annual Group Show – juried
2010
“Fall”. Group Exhibition Featherstone Center for the Arts
2010 “The Art of Quilts”. Group Exhibition Featherstone Center for the Arts – Invitation
2010 “The Art of Flowers”. Group Exhibition Featherstone Center for the Arts
2010
MV Agricultural Society Fair – Competition
2009
MV Agricultural Society Fair – Competition
2004
Solo Photo Exhibition: Victoria Gallery, Newtown, Sydney.
2003
Solo Photo Exhibition: Ceramic Break Sculpture Gallery
REPRESENTATIONS
2011 Julie Robinson Interiors, West Tisbury, MA
2011 Shephard Fine Art Space, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
PUBLICATIONS
2012
Featured artist in Tales Of The Unfinishable: Investigating the Incomplete. Felicity Clarke and Hazel Connors. Wide Open House., Arts Council England.2012. Pp 32 – 34.
2011
Photo of Art Quilt “So Tell Me I Don’t Have Lyme” for article “In Our Blood” by Sam Telford. Martha’s Vineyard Arts & Ideas. Patrick Phillips (Pub)., June 2011. P42
2004
Cover photo for book Genocide and settler society: frontier violence and stolen indigenous children in Australian history. Dirk Moses. Berghahn Books, 2004.
AWARDS
2020
Honours Scholarship Social Sciences, SCU.
2019
Graduate Award SCU
2012
The Kirtz/vAn Nortwich Award. For “Cambodia: The Killing Fields”. The Artist as QuiltMaker XV. Ohio, USA.
2010
July MV Agricultural Society Fair “Cambodia: The Killing Fields” 1st Place Wall Hanging Kathleen Sullivan Award for Originality in Needlework section
2009
MV Agricultural Society Fair “Madonna’s of Martha’s Vineyard” 1st Place Wall hanging Louis Watkins Award – The Most Original Quilt Pattern. “Sunset at West Tisbury” 2nd Place quilt
1994
Royal Academy of Arts Award for top student in design for two consecutive units.
EDUCATION
Tertiary
2020
Semester I Full Time Honours - leave due to COVID.
2018 - 2019
Bachelor of Art & Design. Southern Cross University. Completed.
2017
Certificate IV Training and Assessment - iLearn Queensland - online. Completed September.
2015 - 2016
Diploma of Visual Arts at North Coast TAFE, Lismore Campus.
2014
Enrolled in Undergraduate Degree of Visual Arts, Southern Cross University, Lismore.
Annual Grade Point Average (GPA) 6.67 during 2014 Academic Year.
2001 – 2002
Visual Arts (three units only) Open Learning, Curtin University. WA (Distance Education) Introduction to Sculpture, Ceramics, Painting, Jewellery Making, Textiles. Average mark 86.33%.
1999 – 2000
Graduate Diploma in Education – Primary. (Distance Education)
1999
Photography: An Introduction. RMIT, Melbourne. Certificate of Completion (D)
1992 – 1999
Bachelor of Arts, New England University. Communication & Design (Distance Education)
Secondary
1974
Higher School Certificate, Oxley High School, Tamworth.
TAFE
2006
Certificate II in Information Technology. Tamworth
1990 – 1993
Desktop Publishing, Touch Typing, Word Processing.(Certificate of Attainment)
1991
Literacy Volunteer Training. (Statement of Attainment) Inverell
1983 – 1989
Fashion Retail Advanced Course. Inverell, NSW. TAFE College. Needlecraft, Commercial Advanced Certificate
Other Education
2007
Certificate of Achievement: Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
2006
Intel Master Trainer – Certificate of Completion
2005
Responsible Service of Alcohol. Provide Responsible Gambling Services (Statement of Attainment)
1984 – 1987
Community Nurse, Bingara. Training in Audiometry, Podiatry, Grief counselling. Certificates
1978 -1980
General Nurse Training, Armidale Hospital. Certificate. (RN)
1975 - 1978
Psychiatric Nurse Training, North Ryde Psychiatric Hospital. Certificate. Registered Nurse
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2018
Part Time teaching Lismore TAFE Campus.
2000 – 2007
Primary & High School teacher – Part Time & FT. Art, Computer, Design & Technology, Personal Development, Languages, Year Advisor, Girl’s Secondary Advisor
2002 – 2003
Permanent Part-Time Teacher (Principal’s Release) – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
Computer teacher for Bingara Adult Learning Association.Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher,
Casual teacher St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Barraba
2002
“Work Experience Counts”. Facilitated seven week course sponsored by Bingara Adult Learning Association and Bingara Neighbourhood Centre. Skills for women returning to work.
2001
Casual Primary teacher, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Bingara
2000
Full time Teacher’s Aide, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Bingara
1999
Part time Teacher’s Aide, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Bingara. Special Education and Computing
1994 – 1996
Owner, Partner/Office Manager, Bingara Cypress Pine Sawmill
1993 – 1996
Typesetter, photographer & writer for The Bingara Advocate, Bingara. NSW (Set up the paper onto computer)
1988 – 1994
Farm owner & manager – cattle & sheep – wool used for natural dyeing & spinning
1985 – 1993
Community College teacher of sewing, using sergers, patchwork, quilting & computing
1994
Part time window and store display – H. Fay and Sons, Bingara
1988 – 1996
Full time child carer (mother). Managed farm and stock “Hazeldean”
1984 – 1987
Community Nurse, Bingara District Hospital
1983
Home Nursing for Home and Community Care (HACC), Bingara
1978 – 1980
General Nurse Training, Armidale and District Hospital
1975 – 1978
Psychiatric Nurse Training, North Ryde Psychiatric Centre, North Ryde.
VOLUNTEER WORK
2002 – 2006
Set designer, set builder, photographer, ticket designer, poster designer, costume designer, costume maker for “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” and “Educating Rita” North West Theatre Company, Bingara NSW.
2003
Mentor for Reconciliation History Project, State Reconciliation Council. NSW
1998 – 2007
Foundation Member, Treasurer/Organiser, Myall Creek Memorial Committee.
2000 – 2007 Tour Guide Myall Creek Memorial site
2003
Photographer for documentation of re-development of the Roxy Theatre, Bingara
1991 – 2001
Member Roxy Theatre Restoration Committee
1998 – 2001
Treasurer Bingara Junior Cricket
2000 – 2001
Treasurer and President Bingara Toastmasters
1999 – 2001
Member Bingara Tourist and Economic Development Committee
Judge of various poster, art and design competitions held by local schools.Judge of Craft, Needlework and Photography at Bingara and Warialda Agricultural Shows
1996 - 2000
Member Bingara Arts Council
1993 – 2000
President BALA (Bingara Adult Learning Association). President and Secretary, Bingara Central Schools Band Fundraising Committee. Assistant Secretary, Bingara Central School, P & C Organisation (4 years). Treasurer, Bingara Blue Light Committee (3 years). Bingara Central School, canteen volunteer. Taught sewing Bingara Central School – Primary. Bingara Pre-School Committee
1975 - 1978
“Soup Patrol”, Wayside Chapel, King’s Cross, Sydney
ART RELATED
EXHIBITIONS
2020
'CONTROL. ABUSE. KILL. She'll Be Right, Mate!' Lismore Regional Gallery June, July and August (ten weeks)
2013
Solo Exhibition of all work. Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, Warialda, NSW.
2012 – 2013
“The Unfinishable” tour of the United Kingdom
2012
“Fiber in the Present Tense”. The Arsenal Center for the Arts
2011
Online “The QCC Doily Project” (http://paulette-hayes.com/qcc---splothering-qcc.html)
2011
“Art of the Personal Altar” Group Exhibition Featherstone Center for the Arts
2011
“Moshup Trail”. Gayhead Gallery - Group Exhibition - Invitation
2011
Vineyard Haven Public Library – 2nd Annual Group Show – juried
2010
“Fall”. Group Exhibition Featherstone Center for the Arts
2010 “The Art of Quilts”. Group Exhibition Featherstone Center for the Arts – Invitation
2010 “The Art of Flowers”. Group Exhibition Featherstone Center for the Arts
2010
MV Agricultural Society Fair – Competition
2009
MV Agricultural Society Fair – Competition
2004
Solo Photo Exhibition: Victoria Gallery, Newtown, Sydney.
2003
Solo Photo Exhibition: Ceramic Break Sculpture Gallery
REPRESENTATIONS
2011 Julie Robinson Interiors, West Tisbury, MA
2011 Shephard Fine Art Space, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
PUBLICATIONS
2012
Featured artist in Tales Of The Unfinishable: Investigating the Incomplete. Felicity Clarke and Hazel Connors. Wide Open House., Arts Council England.2012. Pp 32 – 34.
2011
Photo of Art Quilt “So Tell Me I Don’t Have Lyme” for article “In Our Blood” by Sam Telford. Martha’s Vineyard Arts & Ideas. Patrick Phillips (Pub)., June 2011. P42
2004
Cover photo for book Genocide and settler society: frontier violence and stolen indigenous children in Australian history. Dirk Moses. Berghahn Books, 2004.
AWARDS
2020
Honours Scholarship Social Sciences, SCU.
2019
Graduate Award SCU
2012
The Kirtz/vAn Nortwich Award. For “Cambodia: The Killing Fields”. The Artist as QuiltMaker XV. Ohio, USA.
2010
July MV Agricultural Society Fair “Cambodia: The Killing Fields” 1st Place Wall Hanging Kathleen Sullivan Award for Originality in Needlework section
2009
MV Agricultural Society Fair “Madonna’s of Martha’s Vineyard” 1st Place Wall hanging Louis Watkins Award – The Most Original Quilt Pattern. “Sunset at West Tisbury” 2nd Place quilt
1994
Royal Academy of Arts Award for top student in design for two consecutive units.
Artist's Biography
Paulette Hayes was born and raised in the ‘bush’ in Australia and as a child loved to draw, paint and stitch . For most of her life she worked in various occupations while involving herself in the arts in any way possible with the limits of small town life.
She taught herself lead lighting, spinning, knitting, dyeing, photography, embroidery, fabric printing and computer skills to enhance her art. For many years she designed and stitched all the costumes for the Northwest Theatre Company, (NSW) as well as designing and creating the sets, tickets, promotional posters and photographic records. She studied design and introductory classes in ceramics, jewelry making, painting, photography and textiles via distance education but is mostly self-taught.
Paulette was an initiator, designer and builder of the Myall Creek Memorial, the first dedicated to an Aboriginal massacre in Australia. In 2007 the memorial was included in the National Heritage listing and has become an example to all other reconciliation projects in Australia.
In 2007 she moved to the United States where she lived on Martha’s Vineyard with her husband Nick and devoted all her time to creating her art and developing ideas during the long winters.
In May 2013, Paulette and Nick returned to live permanently in Lismore on the north coast of NSW. In 2014 Paulette enrolled full time at the Southern Cross University and completed her first year, however, feeling that she needed more 'practical' skills to tell her story she enrolled in 2015 in the Diploma of Visual Art at the Lismore campus of TAFE. She completed her Bachelor of Art and Design in 2019.
She taught herself lead lighting, spinning, knitting, dyeing, photography, embroidery, fabric printing and computer skills to enhance her art. For many years she designed and stitched all the costumes for the Northwest Theatre Company, (NSW) as well as designing and creating the sets, tickets, promotional posters and photographic records. She studied design and introductory classes in ceramics, jewelry making, painting, photography and textiles via distance education but is mostly self-taught.
Paulette was an initiator, designer and builder of the Myall Creek Memorial, the first dedicated to an Aboriginal massacre in Australia. In 2007 the memorial was included in the National Heritage listing and has become an example to all other reconciliation projects in Australia.
In 2007 she moved to the United States where she lived on Martha’s Vineyard with her husband Nick and devoted all her time to creating her art and developing ideas during the long winters.
In May 2013, Paulette and Nick returned to live permanently in Lismore on the north coast of NSW. In 2014 Paulette enrolled full time at the Southern Cross University and completed her first year, however, feeling that she needed more 'practical' skills to tell her story she enrolled in 2015 in the Diploma of Visual Art at the Lismore campus of TAFE. She completed her Bachelor of Art and Design in 2019.