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ATTENTION TO DETAIL
An event every week that begins at 11:00 am on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, repeating until 17 February, 2017
An event every week that begins at 11:00 am on Saturday, repeating until 18 February, 2017
Ailsa Campbell
7 – 18 February 2017
hours:
Tuesday – Friday 11am to 5pm,
Saturday 12pm to 4pm
admission: Free
seeks to celebrate observed detail in Australian natural forms…
ATTENTION TO DETAIL: Recent Works on Paper
With a background and interest in botanical art, Ailsa Campbell’s exhibition seeks to celebrate observed detail in Australian natural forms; seeds, plants and rocks, and to represent them in a semi abstract way, drawing on the Indigenous art traditions of Australia, Japan and India.
The Northern Territory artworks reflect the influence of Aboriginal art on Campbell’s work, including the use of ochre and charcoal.
The Beach and Kelp series’ use sand collected on site by the artist, while the Norfolk Island Pine and the Sydney Seed Pods reflect the simplicity and beauty in humble found objects.
The Australian Seeds were inspired by Campbell’s years of drawing seeds using microscopic techniques, and her subsequent study of textile printing and design where she created repeat patterns using original drawings, simplifying and abstracting them.
Smaller ink drawings of seeds are an homage to the botanical artists throughout history as well as Campbell’s personal tribute to the mostly unseen beauty of the humble seed.
I have been painting for over twenty years, initially studying under watercolourist Alan Rawady and botanical artist Jenny Phillips. Having participated in several group exhibitions including Eltham Wiregrass Gallery and The Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, I had a successful retrospective solo exhibition at the Smith Street Gallery in Fitzroy in 2007.
Using a binocular microscope, I spent six years doing ink drawings of seeds and cotyledons for a book on raising small Australian plants from seed, working under the direction of microbiologist, plant researcher, gardener and great friend Judith Barker.
I continue to run workshops at VINC (Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Cooperative) on how to draw native seeds in pencil and pen, using a binocular microscope.
Ailsa Campbell, 2016