Penelope’s childhood was spent learning and in the ‘flow’ of needlecraft passed down intergenerationally through her matrilineage. Influenced by the process of building up form and simple repeat shapes and techniques, her work explores the possibilities of mass repetition. This recurrence, reiteration, and variation of simple shapes; the line, circle, or triangle in her works evoke rhythm, movement, and abundance. Anthropological findings on the effect of visual abundance on the viewer to evoke joy, liveliness and wellbeing are of particular interest to the artist and designer.

In 2021 she was awarded the Indo-Pacific accolade of 'the Luminary' by her peers for her contribution to the creative sector in the region.

Dr. Penelope Forlano has 25 years of practice as an award-winning artist, furniture designer, interior designer and academic.  Her work has been exhibited widely including at 100% Design (London), Craft ACT, the Art Gallery of WA, ECU, the Parliament of Western Australia and a solo show at the esteemed Salone Satellite - Milan International Furniture Fair in 2004. She received the prestigious Australian Design Award (2006), her ‘Terrain’ table was acquired for permanent collection by the Art Gallery of WA and she has works in the Louis Vuitton art collection.

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