Carving landscapes in lino

SMYTHES Creek printmaker Marie Mason is the latest visual artist to present work within the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s Backspace.

A master of colourful reduction lino prints rich in contrast, tone and pattern, Mason depicts diverse regional Victorian landscapes, from Mildura, to farm land outside Ballarat, to Venus Bay.

Aptly named From the Murray to the sea, many of exhibition’s pieces were produced at Malvern’s Firestation Print Studio, and in Fitzroy’s Australian Print Workshop.

They show the state’s unique, different, changing landscapes, some after floods, droughts, fires, storms, dust and wind.

“I am trying to separate and simplify the patterns of nature and print them accurately together to show the beauty and diversity of creation,” she said.

“The presence of sunlight and shade in the landscape, twilight shadows and water, are all fascinating challenges.

“I love making beautiful, interesting pictures and am addicted to printmaking.”

A former art teacher, Mason was inspired by the lino prints of Margaret Preston, and consequently “fell in love” with the medium.

She currently develops her prints throughout the working week in her rural home studio, experimenting with collages, transferring sketches onto lino plates, carving, inking, and rolling plates through her printing press.

Art Gallery of Ballarat director Louise Tegart said the prevalence of changing natural landscapes in Mason’s show emphasises the “importance of environmental issues to a sustainable and vibrant community.”

Backspace champions the contemporary works of emerging local artists. From the Murray to the sea is on show in the Gallery until January 2022.