Grounding Atmospheres
ANU School of Art and Design Graduating Exhibition, 2020.
Grounding Atmospheres tracks the conscious and subconscious marks of the human in nature. In my practice, I explore the dualisms that detach the human from nature brought about by the cultural construct of the ‘Wilderness’ ideal. To dissolve this figure-ground separation that has outlined the tradition of Western landscape painting, I explore the purpose of ground and air in connecting ourselves to the environment by using earth pigments and plant dyes from the landscape I work with. Grounding Atmospheres removes an anthropocentric view of the land and explores the deep layers of the air and the ground by bringing an awareness to our breathing and dependence on nature. This is presented through the unwoven negative space and the supple nature of the cloth and fibres. In this, I hope to promote a greater awareness of the air and the importance of seeing ourselves as part of nature through the breath.
Grounding Atmospheres Installation view
Meandering Breath, study. Watercolour on wool warp
Left: Layers of Land 1. Watercolour and earth pigments on canvas. Right: Meandering Breath. Watercolour and earth pigments on wool warp
Meandering Breath, detail
Meandering Breath, detail
Layers of Land 1. Watercolour and earth pigments on canvas
Of Air. Watercolour on mulberry paper, spun before weaving, cotton warp
Of Air, detail
Of Air, detail
Of Air, detail
Of Ground. Eucalyptus dye and earth pigments on silk noil and cotton fabric.
Of Land and Air
Of Ground, detail
Of Breathing. Watercolour and earth pigments on mulberry paper, spun before weaving, cotton warp
Of Breathing, detail
Of Ground and Air. Watercolour on cotton warp and painted paper, spun paper as weft
Of Ground and Air, detail
Of Ground and Air, detail
Of Ground and Air, detail
Of Ground 2. Eucalyptus dye and earth pigments on cotton fabric