Shifting Currents

Q: What were some of the foundation ideas for this exhibition project?

LS: Building on themes of displacement which I have explored for over a decade including in my last solo exhibition DRIFTWO O D in 2023, my new body of work reflects on the fragility of coral reefs, a symbol of displacement in their own right.  I am a keen snorkeler and during the past eighteen months visited several of Australia’s fringing reefs.  These trips along with working with reef videographer Chris Van Der Spuy provided rich material for the imagery in this show.

 Q: How did the artwork selection take place?

LS: Early in the year, Marita Smith, Director of Gallerysmith who represent my arts practice, visited my studio and surveyed all the works in progress.  Direction and guidance was provided and the body of work began to take shape, proofs of my resolved etchings were agreed, others were set aside, and size of works were also reviewed to have a cohesive group of work for the gallery space.

Q: How does the exhibition manifest – what do visitors experience?

LS: The exhibition serves as a reflection on the importance and beauty of coral reefs and a reminder to respect and tread lightly.  Visitors will experience bespoke framed unique state works on paper created from polymer gravure etchings some of which are abstract underwater images, their intention is to draw the viewer into the beautiful underwater world of corals reefs.  Subconsciously music can influence the direction of my work and piano scores by a local pianist Pete Pascoe which I played on repeat in my studio this year has bought an aesthetic that is delicate and light.

The smallest work in the show has two silhouette figures forced to journey, and in another small work a home is toppling, both subtly serve as a quiet reminder that ecological neglect is at a human cost of displacement.

Q: What are some of the key works and what subject matter do they deal with?

LS: During research for this exhibition I learnt that The Australian Institute of Marine Science’s Reef Song Project undertaken at Ningaloo Reef and The Great Barrier Reef uses sound to lure and attract fish to reefs in an effort to aid reef recovery.  Describing coral reefs as a symphony of sounds: purrs, pops, grunts, crackles, and croaks, it is a hum of life.  Changes in climate and human impact contribute to the degradation of these vital habitats.

With this in mind I have created one very large hero work titled A Coral Symphony, which is an assemblage of etchings of coral imagery.  To accompany this artwork an audio soundscape ‘the sound of coral’ has been created by Melbourne sound artist @al_dente______ allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the audible world of coral life.  One Artist Book in the show titled Reef Song of scrolled etchings is a homage to The Reef Song Project.

This year I also visited the Ozu Washi Paper Museum in Tokyo, its lineage dating back to 1653, and returned home with a beautiful bundle of handmade printmaking papers.  Experimenting with how they interacted with my etching plates resulted in several pieces forming an ensemble of works titled Coral Scent – these have two layers of etchings, one printed on BFK heavy weight paper and the top layer printed on the Ozu Washi papers.  They are framed bipartite, in two sections, and give the work a layered effect, as one would view coral within reefs.

Q: What is it about the printmaking experience that you most appreciate?

LS: I love its unpredictability and surprising results that emerge when you hand pull your print through a beautiful press and off its plate. Throughout my life I have always enjoyed problem solving and mastering complex intaglio techniques can present challenging problems to resolve! Modern printmaking also allows the integration of digital techniques and non-toxic materials, all of which I appreciate.

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Shifting Currents by Lisa Sewards is at Gallerysmith, 40 Porter Street Prahran 9 October until 1 November. Opening reception: October 9, 5:30-7:30pm. Meet the artist October 18,12noon-3pm

www.gallerysmith.com.au

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www.printcouncil.org.au

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