| artist's statement |  |
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| My
artworks are not just about what the eye can see or about a particular
point in time. They are an attempt at capturing the feel and essence of
a particular place. Often I revisit a place in order to further explore other aspects of that landscape or to elaborate on a theme or a series. It's all about getting intimate with place. So, in order to do this I end up spending alot of time just sitting or walking and of course sketching a particular landscape and generally just tuning in. I believe that country is sentient and if you listen close enough you'll hear Her speak. I'd even go so far as to say that certain places ask to be painted or even written about. In the same way as a person would commission an artist to paint a portrait . And so quite often I've found myself whilst on a painting trip taking a detour thereby gathering landscape commissions along the way. As for the artworks, my pastels are usually started on site but always completed away from the place. I do this for 2 reasons. The practical one is that under hot conditions both I & the pastels have a tendency to melt and secondly when I'm away from the subject I reflect upon what feelings and memories I retain. As for my oil paintings they are always done in the studio where I draw upon the sketches and also reflect and visualize being back out there. My pictures are also informed by my interest in the Psychology of CG Jung, Eastern Philosophies, Poetry, Literature and Archaeology. I also have an amateur's passion for aboriginal rock art and if there is an art site in the vicinity of where I'm travelling I make a point of visiting it. I'd like to think it adds another dimension to me, not only just as an artist, to visit these places. Via these interests of mine I have been fortunate to have met a variety of fascinating individuals including Poets, Anthropologists and Philosophers. And along with some of these friends I have also become a founding member of The Kangaloon Group. A fellowship of creative scholars concerned with ecology and our changing environment. The fellowship has and is taking my art into what I feel is a new and exciting direction. See my news page for any future developments. Roland Hemmert |