By Lorraine Clarke

THE 2019 Tasmanian Craft Fair will honour the craftsmanship of Deloraine Community Shed artisan Hong Ma this year.

After reviewing examples of the woodwork articles that she creates with great flair, skill and love for our local timbers, it was determined that her work is of such a high standard that it deserves to be shared with the many thousands of visitors who visit the Fair.

Hong is delighted to have been chosen as the 2019 Emerging Artist, and to be invited to present her work in a central venue from November 1 to 4 this year.

The Tasmanian Craft Fair website quotes Hong’s passionate feelings about her art:

‘I love the natural beauty of wood. I feel sad to waste even one piece of it. I often use what other people consider as firewood. Many times, projects of mine have started by saving a piece of wood. Sometimes I have to wait a while for the timber to talk to me.

‘In my mind, wood is not the only beautiful part of the tree. Seeds, leaves and flowers can also be very pretty. So, in my work I like to experiment to display them together.

‘The using of resin has become very important to me for combining all these elements together.

‘Often, I will use colour pencils, woodturning shavings, food ingredients, or whatever else I may find to enrich my work.

‘I don’t like repetitions, so I always think to do something different, something unique. Every year I try to use different techniques or elements to come up with something different to what I’ve made before.

‘I love woodwork. It allows me to express my spirit.’

http://tascraftfair.com.au/news/articles/2019-emerging- artist