Retreat: Becoming the Forest

July 8–19, 2020 — Macleay Valley Community Art Gallery, Gladstone NSW

This exhibition is a progression of watercolour and gouache artworks of the forest reflected in creek pools and ponds, and bush track puddles. The landscapes anthropomorphise as the artist withdraws to merge with her forest home.

I combined research of animism and pareidolia, observational and experimental drawing and Hatsuboku splash drawing — the images torn out and mounted on backing to form organic wall objects.

I hope you will find a sense of renewal and trust as you view these artworks, and remember our ability to surrender to our natural world.

Tun/Retreat: The power of the dark is ascending. The light retreats to security, so that the dark cannot encroach upon it. This retreat is a matter not of man’s will but of natural law. Therefore in this case withdrawal is proper; it is the correct way to behave in order not to exhaust one’s forces. — I Ching, or Book of Changes

Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill. — John Muir

This forest eats itself and lives forever. — Barbara Kingsolver