Pat proves it’s never too late to find your artistic talent

By Greg Chapman

At 82, Pat Handley is arguably one of CQUniversity's more senior silversmithing students, with a decade of Visual Arts courses helping her find a hidden passion in later life.

It was in 2014 that Pat decided to enrol in a Certificate II in Visual Arts at CQU’s Rockhampton City campus and now, 10 years later, not only has she held her first solo exhibition, but she’s about to earn her Diploma.

Pat said she has enjoyed learning how to make jewellery and connecting with other visual arts students. 

“I have found the creative process and problem-solving challenges of jewellery-making to be rewarding,” she said.

“Most of my pieces are responses to a challenge set for an assignment. I have found that researching ideas and refining them to produce unique items very satisfying. Being in contact with other like-minded people of varying age groups has also been an attraction.”

She’s also enjoyed sharing the experience with her husband, Bob.

“I am very lucky that my husband, Bob, is able to cut and polish most of the stones that I use in my jewellery-making,” she said.

Pat’s stunning pieces were on full display at her recent exhibition which drew a crowd of 55 art aficionados. 

“This was my first solo exhibition, and I believe it went very well. I had a great deal of help and support from CQU staff who helped with the planning and the mounting of the exhibition,” she said.

“I want to give special thanks to Visual Arts teachers Carmen Gray, Lisa Gaze and Willby’s Restaurant’s Yussh Mahadeo for their help and advice.”

Still, Pat remains modest about her artistic achievements, even though her talents speak for themselves with her eye-catching works dazzling her peers and admirers – and judges, with one of her pieces being awarded first prize in the student section of the CQU Creates competition in 2017. 

The piece, ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning’ is a brooch of jasper and sterling silver.

A sterling silver, titanium and chrysoprase brooch is her take on an art deco brooch made by Robert Templier in the 1920s.

“Most of my jewellery ends up as gifts, although I have sold a few pieces to those who insist on paying,” she said.

“I doubt that I qualify to be an artist. I am more of a craftsperson who enjoys the challenges of learning new techniques and creating something as a result.”

To start your journey in the visual arts like Pat, visit https://www.cqu.edu.au/study/visual-arts