
First Artist in Residence
Harrie Fasher.
Harrie Fasher was the first artist in residence at Paro College of Education. Her time in Bhutan — a hike to Taksung, an exhibition at the college, and a research trip to Punakha — is documented in the films below.
Bio and practice
Harrie Fasher has established herself as a leading contemporary sculptor whose practice merges technical innovation with a deep commitment to strengthening Australia's regional arts ecology. Based in Portland, NSW, an Honours graduate from the National Art School (2010), Harrie is represented by Australian Galleries, Melbourne.
Her large-scale handmade figurative and abstract sculptures explore psychological states through the language of material and form; evoking presence, vulnerability, and resilience.
Working primarily in steel, bronze, and concrete, she pushes the boundaries of material exploration through experimental casting and fabrication.
Harrie has been recognised by major sculpture prizes such as Sculpture by the Sea and Sculpture at Sawmillers and a plethora of awards including a recent Creative Australia Grant funding a solo exhibition at Orange Regional Gallery “Before Dawn” in November this year.
Since 2019, as principal artist-in-residence at the heritage-industrial site, Foundations Portland, Fasher has developed a 900m² industrial studio capable of producing work from intimate pieces to monumental sculptures. She has built a bronze foundry on-site, allowing her to experiment beyond constraints of commercial fabrication, whilst providing a platform for training and employment.
Balancing her own creative success as a leading contemporary artist with building a sustainable arts infrastructure, Fasher's practice bridges regional, metropolitan, and international contexts, creating pathways for artists and community while contributing to Australia's artistic excellence and regional cultural vitality.
To view her work see harriefasher.com.au
Some activities Harrie did during her three month residency at Paro College