ROSIE WARE – BIOGRAPHY

Rosie Ware is an established self taught Textile Designer & Printer, based on Thursday Island.  Her mother Sorbie (nee Oth) originated from Murray Island in the Eastern Group of Islands, and her father, Elia Ware Snr. Came from St. Paul’s Village on Moa Island, with roots to Mabuiag Island in the near Western Island Group in the Torres Strait. The youngest of nine children in a big Island family.

She began hand-printing textiles as a hobby in 1986. Her main medium is Lino-Block. The procedure is, she draws her design onto the Lino Square, then carves it out with a small sharp hand tool with various shaped blades. With a small sponge roller she coats the carved Lino evenly with fabric paint. It is pressed down hard onto the fabric with a small hard roller. After air drying it for 24 hours she colorfast the paint in her clothes dryer. Over the years she has perfected her own unique style in repetitive printing.

Rosie has been printing professionally since 1996, participating in many mainstream and indigenous group art exhibitions throughout Australia and Overseas. Her inspiration comes from her culture, the maritime history of the Torres Strait and the beautiful islands and marine environment that surrounds her.

One of the highlights of her art career was to win a prestigious mainstream National Award called the ‘2001 Jaguar New Australian Designers of the Future’, in association with the up market Belle Magazine, Sydney. She was honored in being the finalist in the Textile and Fabric Category. Jaguar Australia created the award with eight categories highlighting the importance of good design and the exceptional caliber of Australian design by recognizing outstanding young Australian Designers.

Rosie’s ‘Sugu’ design (meaning octopus) was featured on an Australia Post self-stamped envelope as part of the Torres Strait Collection of art and artifacts. They were easily purchased at any Australia Post Office throughout Australia.

She was a prize winner with her ‘Turtle Shell Mask’ Wall hanging in the Combined Brisbane Rotary Clubs ‘Art Spectacular 2005’ held at the Riverside Centre, Eagle Street, Brisbane. The Art Awards was in Category 4: Best Mixed/Other medium – any subject.

She designs and hand prints on quality fabrics and handcrafts out of her art studio on Green Hill, surrounded by her private and secluded tropical garden overlooking the Thursday Island Harbour.

Rosie’s encouragement to young emerging artist, ‘Get a Trade first, a good Education, never give up on your passion, follow your dreams, as you never know where it will take you, and remember always, to keep smiling’.