ARTIST'S STATEMENT

Prior to living in the Blue Mountains, Carolyn grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Since moving here in 1994 she has spent much time bush walking. Whether at the beach or in the bush, she has found places of refuge; places to reflect and contemplate.

In her latest series of work the soft, lyrical style of contemporary ink wash and mixed media works on paper, cleverly capture the aura and mysticism hidden in the landscape. Her experimental and spontaneous mark-making create a perfect balance between natural and abstract forms, developing mood and atmosphere. She tries to convey her feelings for the surrounding landscape where metaphor and reality mix. Ink washes, charcoal and pastel combine in an act of co-creative work. She is the initiator and the medium responds to her invitation, guiding her further. The outcome is always a surprising and pleasing mix of control and experimentation.

Respected artist and finalist in the Archibald, Mathew Lyn described Carolyn's work as "a very interesting technique which really gives a sense of being in the landscape not just looking at it. Feels a bit like gazing into the Wild Dog Mountains from Green Gully". Another of her teachers, Dahlia Maron, part-time teacher WSI of TAFE, Nepean Fine Arts College, described her style of work as "showing a controlled and sophisticated technique using this medium".

She is inspired by the work of Fred Williams, who was brilliant at conveying the awesome beauty of the Australian Landscape in an abstracted and sophisticated yet unlaboured style. Since beginning this series, the work of Tim Allen, a contemporary artist, has further inspired her by his depiction of landscape through multiple viewpoints on the canvas.

The works displayed here are the "Landscape Transfiguration" series. These paintings were a part of an exhibition  held at Braemar Gallery, Springwood, in October 2009.  

CONTACT