Through our eyes
Three artists, Tanya Chaitow, Isabelle Devos and Lois Robertson, undertook a residential painting workshop at Bothwell farm in Tasmania with renowned Tasmanian Artist, David Keeling. They immersed themselves in the breathtaking beauty of the Tasmanian landscape and its impact on their art resulting in a group exhibition "Through Our Eyes"at the Hazelhurst Art Gallery from June 30- July 11. It showcases their three very different approaches to the Tasmanian landscape.
The Tasmanian landscape, dynamic and ever-changing, provided a backdrop rich with inspiration. Its transformation with the passage of time, shifting seasons, and interplay of light and weather fascinated the artists. They tried to capture not only the physical features of the land but also the intangible moods and memories that linger, shaping the present moment.
For these artists, the process began with immersing themselves in the landscape itself. They spent time walking, observing, and sketching in various mediums, pen, ink, pencil, and gouache.Drawing played a crucial role in the creative process for all three artists, sketching the immediate environment and working intuitively in the pristine Tasmanian landscape. These rough sketches were taken back to their studios after the retreat where larger works evolved from memory, photos and sketches.
Tanya, Isabelle and Lois sought to recreate the landscape's essence, evoking its essential nature through light, space, and texture. They embraced multiple viewpoints, acknowledging that no single fixed perspective could capture the multifaceted beauty of the Tasmanian landscape.
Working in the pristine Tasmanian landscape they were aware of the historical, cultural, and environmental narratives of the land. The tensions between past and present, the impact of colonial history and industrial practices on the land are all very much felt in the Tasmanian bush. ir work.
It is within this context that Tanya Chaitow, Isabelle Devos and Lois Robertson embarked on their artistic exploration of the Tasmanian landscape. Their fresh perspectives, like those of strangers, allowed them to uncover new layers of meaning and create works that negotiated the blurred line between memory, imagination, dream, and reality.These three very different artists invite the viewers to reflect on the complexities of the human experience within their work.
Tanya Chaitow blends narratives into her paintings and drawings. Blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction, past and present, she tells stories set in the vast Australian bush. Through her art, she not only depicts a sense of place but also explores the complexities of human experiences.
