artspace
"I have this idea that I can do anything that
I set out to do," she says. "I've had some level of
success in everything I've done, and if I choose to
do something, it will work out for me somehow.
There's just so much to do in a life, and you don't
have to stick with one thing."
Textile artist Douglas McManus has known
Annie throughout her journey from fashion student
to CCD project worker, to fully-fledged artist and
single mum. He says she's always been there to
inspire him on an artistic and a personal level.
The two artists now share a studio space in
Melbourne, where they critique each other's work
and offer mutual support.
Douglas has watched Annie's style mature over
their 25-year friendship, but her exuberant energy
has been a constant. "Annie's art is joyous," he says.
"It's a celebration of her life that really speaks to
her audience. She just has such a strong belief in
what she's doing."
Douglas recalls how he admired the sacrifices
Annie made to be able to raise her daughter the
way she wanted. Shifting her energy from artwork
to child rearing, she provided Freyja with all the
inspiration she needed to chase her dreams.
Freyja Edney, now 23, decided to pursue her
passion and landed a job as a circus performer,
travelling the world and doing what she loves –
with full support from her mother. Although Annie
didn't have a 'normal' payroll job and they never
had much money when Freyja was young, her
daughter says Annie had a powerful ambition that
motivated those around her.
"She's quite a dreamer," Freyja says. "That is
essentially who she is. She's loving, caring and
gentle, but she also knows how to be an advocate
for something that is important to her."
For more information about Annie Edney and
her work, visit annieedney.wordpress.com/about.
Top to bottom:
One of Annie's
arresting fire
sculptures; some
of Annie's tools;
Annie Edney.
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