A Grain of Sand
Coastal series
In the 18 months since the previous exhibition, I travelled to the Northern Territory; to Bathurst Island, Katherine Gorge and then back to Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and the MacDonnell Ranges. Between these travels I made a trip back to England, where I had lived for several years and in particular to the North Norfolk coast, which has become a spiritual home to me when I am in the UK and has influenced much of my early work. In attempting to capture and interpret memories and reflections of these vastly different landscapes and transfer them on to canvas, I found that what captured my imagination and linked them together was the layering of the landscape. These landscapes have been ravaged by time but despite the constant changes they appear timeless which I think gives them a real sense of spirit of place. It is the layering of the landscape that provides the viewer with a sense of history and in transferring this to canvas; I am attempting to portray that feeling of timelessness. Poetry is a constant source of inspiration to me. I chose the title for this exhibition after reading a poem by Bobbie Barclay. The title of the poem made me think of William Blake’s “to see a world in a grain of sand” but on reading Bobbie’s poem, I realised it was more about a moment in time and capturing the essence of that moment, which is really what I am attempting to achieve in her work.
A Grain of Sand
In the grey light cows form single files small animals skitter across damp grass babies snuggle, children wriggle, lovers love And dreamers dream. Headlines thud against closed doors. Early risers rise. A hand reaches out and touches only space. *
*this poem was reproduced with the kind permission of B. Barclay
Depot Gallery
Dank Street, Waterloo, Sydney
