Alison Coates

Born Brisbane, Australia

Lives & Works Sydney (Eora)

Alison Coates is a pioneer and leading artist in the field of botanical sculpture. Celebrated for her sustainable sculptures and installations, the artist utilises natural fibres and botanicals combined with recycled industrial materials. In her hands, the seemingly incongruous are transformed together in a poetic combination of shapes and textures. At the heart of her practice is a true reverence and engagement with nature. Coates’ work sharpens a focus on nature’s awe-inspiring magnificence and also its fragility.

Coates enjoyed a very successful career as a sought after Sydney floral designer and her unique work inspired her further study at Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School. She has been the recipient of notable residencies including the Australian Wildlife Conervancy Residency, Mount Zero, QLD, and the the Kelton Plein Air Artist Residency, Monaro, NSW. In 2020, she exhibited her work in collaboration with Saskia Havekes for Kaldor Art Projects, Project 36: do it (Australia) at Serpentine Gallery in London.