Sarah Lloyd-Howe

The seemingly limitless expanse of the Australian Bush never ceases to amaze and inspire me. In particular, the hundreds of Eucalyptus species continue to fascinate me and are highly influential to my work. I do not try to replicate with strictly botanical accuracy, instead I work through my imagination and memories, creating symbolic references to a longing for an ‘elsewhere’ far from where I am at present.

 

I have never been tempted to work in the style of the Aborigines ‘Spiritual Dreamtime’.  I can’t help feeling that it is somewhat dishonest for non-indigenous artists to attempt to adopt and appropriate their very unique and often sacred world of artistic expression. I have, however, and feel my own special relationship with ‘terra australis’.

 

I have been making dozens of ‘gumnut’ forms on a small scale using various clay bodies. The clay ranges from the difficult to master porcelain to the rough and gritty texture of the brick clay. I start with small hand rolled balls, dusted with powdered clay to help create the cracked and weathered surface I am aiming for.

 

The subtleties and complexities of the Australian landscape are expressed through the groupings of my gumnut forms. The thought provoking harmony they create removes me from my current landscape into a more timeless place.  To me they are precious little pieces, an embodiment of a distant memory sitting perfectly in the palm of my hand.

 

Like taking snow to the Eskimos, my intention is to take my gum nuts home to the Australian Land from which they originally sprang.