“Often a narrative informs a work and I'll smile as I paint the story, one chapter at a time.” Lindi Forde

Apr 5

Written By GoLive

Mornington-based abstract artist Lindi Forde will be one of the incredible artists in Tyger’s upcoming group show, *Living in Another World*.

Tyger is thrilled to welcome back gallery favourite Lindi Forde for our upcoming abstract landscapes show, Living in Another World.

The show brings together around 40 artists from all over the country to show us the world we know and love through an abstracted lens.

Ahead of the show, Lindi told us about the joy of paper, her studio floor “mosaic of the discarded”, and inviting viewers of her work to write their own stories.

How would you describe your work in Living in Another World?

“WALKING AT NOON is a nod to holiday memories when I've jumped on a plane and ended up in small European villages - or bigger towns. This piece celebrates the wonders of the artisan, buildings from long ago existing in today's world and their history which draws us in. This work on paper uses distinctive, mainly curved, painted white lines, colour, shapes and collage pieces to reminisce about good times and memorable places.”

“Importantly, the viewer can travel freely along any of these drawn lines which reference cobbled lanes and narrow streets and not be stopped by locked gates or dead end streets. A variety of symbols placed along the painted lines represent places of interest - a cross or a green square. The work can be viewed as a map - the type collected from a tourism office - the lines giving way to a maplike terrain.”

Tell us about where and how you create your work?

“I work from my studio in Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula. Beaches, wineries and gently sloping, treed hills are some distance from my work space - I usually drive the beach road to the studio, with panoramic views out to sea on my left. With my eyes on the road, my mind roams around current projects pondering 'what if ' and what's on for my studio day!”

“From the beach top cliffs, I wind my way to my studio and into suburbia. There's a major intersection someway from my studio window, and the Ambulance dispatch HQ is just out of my sightline. Often a siren interrupts the studio hum. Immediately outside my windows is a large expanse of green grass and worn gum trees under which two lap wings call and forage.”

“For now, I'm working on paper with acrylic. Using paper is influenced by my photographic background - give me an art supply shop steeped in papers and I'm in heaven! I love the 'give' of paper, its edges and textures, weight and variety. For me, framing a work behind (art) glass, gives the work a respect and sense of completion. The packing people assure me framed works on paper are 'no worries'.”

“To make a work is to begin. An idea slowly takes form and gathers momentum. There is a constant enquiry into process and problem solving. I'll deliberate for hours on the placement of one tiny piece of collage - does it add to or detract from the overall balance of the work”.

“I'm a colour addict, interested in how colours sit together and tweak hues and tone to enhance the mood of a work. Often a narrative informs a work and I'll smile as I paint the story, one chapter at a time. I'll work on one piece before starting another. There's a lot of cutting up coloured papers. My studio floor becomes a mosaic of the discarded. This ephemeral mess appeals to me - as evidence of what happened and there's an intrigue in looking at what made the cut and what was left out!”

What inspires you?

“One of the really good things about having lived, aka as being a person of a certain age - and no I'm not saying any more about this - is having stories to tell, memories that sneak up on me, a rusted toolbox of lifeskills, knowing what I love while doing my best ... not to waste time.”

“Which is to say, I'm inspired by people's life stories, a good movie, a rousing novel, art books, magazines (Rum, Cuisine, World of Interiors), learning, walking the tide lines, a good view out to sea, a misty sunset, a ferry ride across the bay, textiles and fashion, clashing colours, overheard conversations, a scintillating gallery and exhibition, a good chat, a road trip, yum food and a cheeky pinot noir, tiki tours, visiting new places, clever design, world music, the wild; and being in the quiet to ponder all of the above - to make art.”

What do you hope people feel when they see your work?

“I'd love a viewer to be stopped in front of my work and be taken away - by the whimsy, the fun, the quirky alongside the considered and imaginative approach. I'd envisage viewers feeling quietly optimistic, happier and settled.”

“My work invites viewers to imagine their own story, and find food for thought in the looking. And the elusive something which draws them back to the work again - and again.”

Living in Another World runs from 19-28 April at Tyger Gallery in Yass. The online catalogue for the show will go out to subscribers in the week before opening. Sign up here to make sure you don’t miss out.