“I hope viewers feel a sense of belonging, becoming caretakers with a desire to protect our beautiful, often pristine wilderness.” Lorri Blackwell
Former Yass-based painter Lorri Blackwell will be one of the amazing artists in Tyger’s upcoming group show, Living in Another World.
Tyger is delighted to welcome back the outstanding Wagga Wagga-based artist Lorri Blackwell 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.
Register now for our opening celebrations of Living in Another World - Saturday 20 April, 2-4pm.
Lorri’s piece in the show is Sandstone Country: Carnarvon Gorge, a stunning earthy-toned outback abstract. We absolutely love it, and we’re so thrilled to have her work back in the gallery.
Ahead of the show, Lorri told us about capturing the vastness of the outback, finding inspiration in rocks, and how she made friends with landscape painting.
How would you describe your work?
“My aim is to capture the colours, rhythms, vastness and untrammelled beauty of the Australian outback, in this case, breathtaking Carnarvon Gorge in outback Queensland.
“The painting began with discovering a small section of sandstone wall in Sydney. Looking closely I could imagine an expansive view of cliffs, valleys, rocks, and spectacular sandstone landforms.”
“I've also referenced Carnarvon Gorge’s unique vegetation (Livistona palms, giant ferns and cycads) and its beautiful rock art, witness to thousands of years of indigenous habitation.”
“This scene, though specific, could envisage many of our spectacular outback landforms.”
Where and how do you create your work?
“I live in Wagga Wagga and work in my garage studio (shared by too many redbacks!)”
“Painting predominantly in oils, my process begins with plein air drawings, pastel sketches and information gathered on morning walks by the Murrumbidgee or on many outback trips.
Wherever I go, I collect rocks, bark and other natural materials and expand these micro views into large abstract landscapes.”
“Although my work is based on direct observations, through abstraction, I aim to portray an accumulation of experiences and give a feeling of being there.”
What inspires you?
“I have a deep feeling of connection and belonging to the landscape, possibly due to an isolated rural upbringing and the freedom to roam in nature. I gain most inspiration from the outback: its never-ending space and limitless horizons, unusual landforms and rocks, rocks, rocks. Without sounding too weird, I’d have to admit its rocks that are my greatest inspiration …I just need to remember where I found them!”
“Artists that particularly inspire me are Elizabeth Cummings, Fred Williams, Per Kirkeby, and Amy Silman’s geometric abstractions.”
What do you hope people feel when they see your work?
“Because much of my work is based on actual places, I hope some viewers have the joy of recognising the familiar. Otherwise, I hope they experience an appreciation of its grandeur and a desire to venture to the outback.”
“On a deeper level, I hope by portraying expansive horizons, the viewer can enjoy a sense of limitless freedom, space and possibility.”
“Most of all, I hope viewers can enter the work and feel a sense of belonging, thus becoming caretakers with a desire to protect our beautiful, often pristine wilderness.”
Anything else you want to tell us?
“Landscape and I were not ‘good friends’ till I discovered my way into it through abstraction. By taking a micro view and expanding it I “see a world in a grain of sand” (William Blake)”
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.
