Exploring the Tasmanian East Coast, my journey intersects with the paths once…
Exploring the Tasmanian East Coast, my journey intersects with the paths once charted by historical figures like Abel Tasman and Matthew Flinders. However, my exploration diverges significantly from theirs. Where they mapped the land for navigation and colonial purposes, my focus lies in a deeper, more introspective immersion into the environment. This distinction is crucial in my artistic process, as I seek to engage with the landscape in a way that is reflective and emotionally resonant, rather than utilitarian, though it still has the underlying purpose of a sense of environmental activism. I acknowledge that as a white Australian, I am a guest on this ancient and culturally rich Indigenous land. I pay my respects to the traditional custodians of this land, their enduring connection to it, and to their Elders past, present, and emerging. This acknowledgement is a crucial component of my artistic process.
In this modern era, the advent of GPS and other technologies has transformed the concept of mapping, allowing me as an artist to explore and interpret the landscape in novel ways. Unlike the compasses and maps of early explorers, these tools free me from traditional cartographic limitations, enabling a more nuanced and personal form of exploration. While GPS provides a sense of location and orientation, it's the emotional and sensory connection to the landscape that truly guides my journey.
My approach to creating images transcends the physical mapping of spaces; it is a deep exploration of the emotional landscapes, the memories, and the spirit embedded in the environment, drawing on the Chinese "shanshui" painting philosophy, essence and spirit of the landscape are captured, rather than just its physical form.
I aim to offer a new perspective, one that emphasises the emotional and spiritual journey & connection to place. Not only a depiction of physical spaces but a representation of my profound connection with nature, a journey that intertwines the tangible with the intangible, mapping both the land and the myriad experiences it evokes.
I am now embarking on a new project to explore the East Coast of Tasmania, drawing inspiration from my previous work around Spiky Beach and Swansea. This is an extension of my journey, continuing to intertwine the tangible landscapes with the intangible experiences they evoke. These locations, with their unique features and natural history, offer a fresh canvas for my exploration. I will capture the interplay of light, texture, and colour, weaving these elements into a narrative that reflects their beauty and complexity.
This new project is more than just an artistic endeavour; it's a continuation of my quest to understand and convey the deeper connections we have with our world. It's an opportunity to share by deep connection, my immersive engagement with nature and how it manifests through the lens and to invite others to experience these places in a way that is both intimate and profound.
