STELLA Clarke, Jessica de Siso and Deborah Lee Klein use contrasting mediums in their artistic practices, but all are inspired by one theme.<\/p>\n
Through their respective landscape paintings, sculptures and cut-paper illustrations, the three creatives have explored the environment throughout their visual art presented within the Art Gallery of Ballarat\u2019s latest Backspace exhibition, Nature works<\/em>.<\/p>\n Clarke, de Siso and Klein all made separate applications to showcase their works in the space, but the Art Gallery of Ballarat saw parallels, and have decided to bring them together.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do have a meeting of minds, connecting with the natural environment in different ways,\u201d Clarke said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all share the sense that it\u2019s time to become more mindful about what\u2019s left of the natural environment, the benefits we can get from being part of it and really observing it properly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can find something inspiring wherever you are. I spend a lot of time sitting out on our bush property by my dam, seeing reflections in water, changing light, light through leaves and trees.\u201d<\/p>\n Picking up rubbish and discarded objects amongst the natural environment is an \u201cobsession\u201d of de Siso, a sculptor who has a love of rust.<\/p>\n \u201cDecarded bits of machinery, things that have been worn down, or twisted by cars, I repurpose them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are exact beauties in nature, and there are wonderful scenes and scenarios, but we\u2019re part of nature, and the stuff we make has imposed on what we regard as nature. We\u2019re part of nature, too.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s an importance of not imposing our species on the planet. There is so much that\u2019s wasted. Repurpose junk.\u201d<\/p>\n Klein is a dimensional illustrator, making low-relief paper sculptures that usually depict living things of the natural world. Animals, insects and mushrooms feature in Nature works<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI mimic three-dimensional aspects of the figures… and put together a composition that\u2019s pleasing. They\u2019re just paper and glue,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI depict creatures that I respond to. I\u2019ve always been fascinated by the fruit bats of Australia and their silhouettes, hanging in the trees.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always loved praying mantis, the look of birds sitting on wires, with the patterns they naturally create.\u201d<\/p>\n Previously showing her \u201cmicro landscapes\u201d of Haddon and rural Victoria in other galleries, Clarke is most proud to see her visuals in the Art Gallery of Ballarat.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a lovely building and a beautiful space to show art in. I feel really lucky to show my work here with two other brilliant artists. It\u2019s a great opportunity that I\u2019m grateful for,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve loved coming to the Gallery for many years to see the beautiful art on the walls, so to see mine amongst it all is fabulous.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a great thing the Gallery does through Backspace, helping regional artists.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" STELLA Clarke, Jessica de Siso and Deborah Lee Klein use contrasting mediums in their artistic practices, but all are inspired by one theme. Through their respective landscape paintings, sculptures and cut-paper illustrations, the three creatives have explored the environment throughout their visual art presented within the Art Gallery of Ballarat\u2019s latest Backspace exhibition, Nature works. […]<\/p>\n