Finding inspiration in extraordinary places

SITTING the Artisans of Australia gallery, Robyn Pugh is once again surrounded by the landscape and wildlife of Namibia – only this time, it’s through her own artistic interpretation of the country.

Her latest exhibition, Impressions of Namibia, is an immersion into the vibrant colour and culture of the nation that captivated her on her recent visit.

 

“When I arrived in Namibia, I was immediately thinking about how I could represent the country in art,” she said.

“It was a trip for enjoyment, but as an artist you’re always thinking about how to share what you’ve seen.”

Her travels took included driving up the Atlantic Coast before camping in the Etosha National Park, one of the largest in Africa.

Robyn documented the trip in detail, ready to reimagine it in her Bellarine studio.

“I took hundreds of photos and then went through them at home to choose which moments I wanted to paint,” she said.

“I often take photos of things other people might not notice – a surface or a pattern on a wall – because you never know where an idea will lead.”

Namibia is home to some of the world’s tallest sand dunes, and Robyn found herself mesmerised by their colours.

 

“The contrast between shadow and sunlight on the sand dunes was just incredible,” she said.

“Those dunes in Sossusvlei are some of the tallest in the world – the light and shape of them really fascinated me. The sand looks solid from a distance, but when you climb it, you realise how soft and shifting it is.”

Her exhibition also captures the country’s abundance of wildlife, and her favourite piece is a pen and ink depiction of a gemsbok.

“They were such magnificent animals,” she said. “I’m proud of how it turned out.”

“We saw lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes – every day felt like a new gift… Sometimes I’d sit at a waterhole for hours, just watching what happens.”

Back home, Robyn sorted through hundreds of photos to find the perfect moments to recreate.

“Not every trip turns into an exhibition… but this one really called for it,” she said. “I always start with small sketches to plan out how a piece will work. Sometimes it takes a few tries before I’m happy.”

Originally from Geelong, Robyn’s love of art began in childhood.

“I was always an artistic kid – I used to love drawing Snoopy because he was simple but expressive,” she said.

 

“I did some art classes when I was pregnant, and later got into ceramics, but it all went on the back burner while raising children and working… After I retired, I started taking classes again and discovered all these different mediums to work with.”

These days, she enjoys using acrylic paints and pen and ink.

“I love working with pen and lines – I’m drawn to buildings and perspective because I like structure.”

Robyn has had her studio on the Bellarine for about five years and continues to draw inspiration from both travel and local nature.

“I love the nature here on the Bellarine too, but I tend to paint what other people don’t,” she said.

“A lot of my inspiration comes from travel – I’ve been to Africa twice now, and both trips were amazing.”

For Impressions of Namibia, Robyn has also included photographs and information on the country’s flora, fauna and culture.

“I usually don’t include photos in my exhibitions,” she said, “but I bought a new camera for this trip and wanted to share the beauty of Namibia.”

 

“Because it’s such a unique country, I added information panels and photos so people could understand what they were seeing.”

Although her past exhibitions have included immersive effects such as soundscapes, Robyn said this one is more traditional.

“This one is simpler. It’s about the paintings speaking for themselves.”

Ultimately, Robyn hopes people who visit Impressions of Namibia are given a similar sense of wonder which she felt whilst travelling there.

“If people have glimpsed somewhere different – somewhere extraordinary – then I’ve done my job.”

Impressions of Namibia is showing at Artisans of Australia, Curlewis, until February 23.

For more information on Robyn’s work, head to twoatart.com.au