JENNIFER RIDDLE L O S T A N D F O U N D : A PA I N T E D L A N D S C A P E
JENNIFER RIDDLE L O S T A N D F O U N D : A PA I N T E D L A N D S C A P E
Finding a sense of clarity and peacefulness in a time of overwhelming uncertainty is becoming increasingly tough as we battle to navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world. H o w e v e r, s u c h c h a l l e n g i n g t i m e s m a y a l s o o f f e r u s a t i m e t o r e f l e c t o n w h a t w e h a v e l o s t , reevaluate what is important to us and reconcile our innate relationship with nature - and maybe e v e n e a c h o t h e r. Scholars are now confirming what the Indigenous and other ancient cultures have known for centuries - that we are a part of nature, not apart from it.
A fundamental connection that is
imperative for the future of our environment as well as our psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. My relationship with nature was rekindled 21 years ago after the loss of my sister and has intensified ever since.
By drawing upon this loss and the collective loss that we are experiencing
n o w, I r e t u r n m y f o c u s t o t h e l a n d s c a p e s t h a t h a v e h e l p e d s o l i d i f y m y c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e n a t u r a l w o r l d a n d g i v e n m e a s e n s e o f c l a r i t y, h e a l i n g a n d p e a c e . T h e s e p a i n t i n g s a r e b a s e d o n t w o g e o g r a p h i c a l l y d i f f e r e n t l a n d s c a p e s : Re d H i l l , V i c t o r i a a n d Po r t D a v e y i n Ta s m a n i a ’s S o u t h w e s t . O n e , a p a s t o r a l l a n d s c a p e t h a t h a s b e e n t h e g e n e s i s o f m y l o v e f o r t h e l a n d a n d a r t p r a c t i c e . T h e o t h e r, a p r i s t i n e w i l d e r n e s s , o n e t h a t s t i r s a n i n n a t e p r i m a l response to the land, whilst instilling an intense empathy for what our world has lost and what remains of its future. Despite the physical differences of these landscapes, they all share alchemy - a life force that quietly softens and silences the land, transforming the landscape into a soulful and meditative p l a c e o f s a n c t u a r y. T h e s e m o m e n t s d e p i c t e d h a v e p r o f o u n d l y d e e p e n e d m y r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h n a t u r e and offered a meaningful and soulful conversation with the land that continues to help shape my environmental, cultural and philosophical understandings of nature and our innate connection to it. Through years of studying and painting these landscapes, I’ve developed a growing consciousness of the ecological rhythms and pulses that surrounds them. This understanding and ongoing interaction, have enabled me to create a sense of place within these works - representing both the physical and most importantly the emotional response. W h e n Ti m F l a n n e r y w a l k e d t h r o u g h t h e w i l d e r n e s s o f Po r t D a v e y h e s p o k e a b o u t t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f immersing oneself in the landscape. “When you know what each individual plant is and what its history is and what pollinates it and... w h a t t r a n s p o r t s i t s s e e d s , i t ’s t h i s t r e m e n d o u s l y c o m p l e x a n d b e a u t i f u l t h i n g . I g u e s s s o m e p e o p l e w o u l d s e e i t a n d t h e y ’ d j u s t t h i n k , ” O h ! I t ’s a w a l l o f g r e e n . ” S o m e p e o p l e w o u l d l i s t e n t o t h e o p e r a a n d j u s t t h i n k , “ I t ’s j u s t s o u n d . ” B u t o n c e y o u g e t y o u r m i n d t u n e d i n t o t h e c o m p l e x i t y o f s o m e t h i n g , i t ’s e x t r a o r d i n a r i l y e n r i c h i n g a n d v e r y b e a u t i f u l j u s t t o b e i m m e r s e d i n i t . ” Through these works, I hope to synthesise an authentic emotional cohesion between the viewer and the beauty found within the landscape. A connection that goes beyond the physicality of the t e x t u r e d p a i n t l a y e r s - o p e n i n g u p a s i l e n t s o n g t h a t s i n g s t o b o t h o u r h e a r t a n d s o u l . Re s t o r i n g m e m o r i e s l o s t a n d f o u n d i n g m e m o r i e s n e w.
E M B R A C E O F T H E PA S T - B AT H U R S T H A R B O U R , 2 0 2 1 acrylic on canvas 183 x 183 cm
M O R N I N G L I G H T - D AV E Y R I V E R , 2 0 2 1 acrylic on canvas 137.5 x 137.5 cm
ECHOED LANDS, 2021 acrylic on canvas 122.5 x 244.5 cm
GHOST TREE REFLECTIONS, 2021 acrylic on canvas 137.5 x 137.5 cm
AFTERNOON CALM - SCHOONER COVE, 2021 acrylic on canvas 112 x 112 cm
E V O C AT I O N O F A S L U M B E R I N G L A N D , 2 0 2 1 acrylic on canvas 152 x 244 cm
EVENTIDE, 2021 acrylic on canvas 153 x 153 cm
RHYTHMS AND LICHENS, 2021 acrylic on canvas 137.5 x 153 cm
W AT T L E S B L O O M , 2 0 2 1 acrylic on canvas 137.5 x 198 cm
T H E R E T U R N TO T H E VA L L E Y , 2 0 2 1 acrylic on canvas 112 x 112 cm
DONALDSONS DAM, 2021 acrylic on canvas 153 x 183 cm
L O V E A N D E M PAT H Y , 2 0 2 1 acrylic on canvas 112 x 112 cm
REVERIE, 2021 acrylic on canvas 153 x 183 cm
FLINDERS DAM, 2021 acrylic on canvas 137.5 x 137.5 cm
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