Charcoal scenes from where Lyn stands

WORK by award-winning Bendigo artist Lyn Raymer is on display in the city’s Living Arts Space until next month.

The From where I stand exhibition brings together Raymer’s charcoal drawings that capture her unique studied observations of individuals in densely populated public spaces.

The works also explore the uncomfortable reality of the COVID-19 pandemic from Raymer’s perspective, including how the era changed people’s interaction with public spaces.

Living Arts Space curator Amy Carr-Bottomley said the collection of drawings is outstanding.

“Lyn Raymer’s incredible charcoal drawings are inspired by her unique observations of people and their interactions in public spaces,” Ms Carr-Bottomley said.

“These highly detailed charcoal drawings are created using a reductive technique with Lyn using erasers to pull and push the figures and forms from darkened backgrounds.

“The implied movement and unique atmosphere invite the viewer to stand within these unique speres to contemplate the juxtaposed perspectives.

“This is a stunning exhibition to immerse yourself in these beautiful drawings.”

Raymer is a figurative artist specialising in drawing. She studied fine arts at RMIT and Monash University in the 1970s and taught visual arts in Hong Kong.

She later conducted drawing workshops in Hong Kong and Dubai.

After 22 years of teaching, practicing art, and managing her own studio and gallery in Hong Kong, Raymer settled in Bendigo.

“I have become very interested in drawing. Drawings are without guile, without ego,” Raymer has said.

An emphasis on figurative art emerged at around the same time.

Raymer has been a finalist in more than a dozen national prizes, including the Muswellbrook Art Prize and Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize.

From where I stand is open until Sunday 6 October at the Living Arts Space, which is located in the Bendigo Visitor Centre at 51 to 67 Pall Mall. It is open from 9am to 4.30pm daily.