Community
7 August, 2026
Old couches and good friends
A CHANCE glance at an old couch and a lasting friendship has sparked a small display for one Camperdown artist.
Sue Hollingsworth has set up a small display in the window of Passionfish Arthouse, recycling hessian from an old couch to create semi-abstract works depicting landmarks of the Port Campbell area.
Ms Hollingsworth said the decision to use hessian as part of her mixed media works came as a moment of pure luck.
“I always want to try something a bit different, and when I was shifting my old couch out of the house, it didn’t fit, and we had to dismantle it,” she said.
“I saw the hessian on the back of the couch and thought to take it and use it for something.
“I made a number of works with the hessian, and Annie (Keil-Taggart, owner of Passionfish Arthouse) asked me to come down and put some in her gallery.
“There’s artworks of the 12 Apostles, the grotto and the Aireys Inlet Lighthouse, which is just down the road.”
Ms Hollingsworth said she had known Ms Keil-Taggart for a number of years, with their friendship beginning from a simple coincidence.
“I bought her parents’ house in Camperdown, so she’s been to visit and have a look at the house,” she said.
“I’ve come to her gallery space for coffee occasionally over the years, but I’ve never had art here before.”
Ms Keil-Taggart said she was thrilled to be able to support her friend, having hosted works from other Camperdown-based artists in her art space.
“Sue’s a good friend and I really like seeing the development of her work,” she said.
“She’s been painting and creating for a while.”
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