Sojourns
Secrets and Dreams I Etching with Monoprint collage
Studio Altenburg Braidwood NSW
31st March – 29th April
Last week at Studio Altenberg Braidword my solo exhibition “Sojourns” opened and is on until April 29th 2023.
I’ve always wanted to exhibit at Altenburg and had planned to be part of a small group show a couple of years ago. This was around the time that we were trying to ‘live’ with Covid. For various reasons that was shelved. Some months later in conversation with Cecile Galiazzo, Altenburg gallery owner a solo show was booked for April 2023.
I saw this as an opportunity to tell a story of my own rather than going down my normal environmental botanical/avaian path mostly in etching. The works are collages of mixed print media. All parts are hand printed and collaged in built up layers.
My artist statement states in the first paragraph:
“We are all travellers. Most of us are part of the large migrant diaspora in this country. We have all come from somewhere, for opportunity, as an escape, for asylum, as scholars, or as explorers. Likewise we all are going somewhere. Whether by chance or by choice.
Recent family events and a big studio move have forced a filtering of nostalgic material and of revisiting personal stories and memories. Experiences of all sojourns have had a profound influence on my art. This work is a personal response to this experience and reflects a sense of the exotic and fascination for different cultures and way of life”.
Maybe you can see where I am going with this?
The following is only a brief summary as I could really bore you to tears with stories. The exhibition, in my mind it starts with “Migration”.
Migration, Relief Print/ stitching collage copyright johollier
This reference to migrant backgound will be of no surprise if you read meaning into this piece.
My parents came here for a new life from the Netherlands, (‘Tea with Oma’), and new opportunities for a young and ambitious research scientist. (Dreamscapes) My fathers first big career breakthrough was with CSIRO in the Riverina NSW improving Citrus yields. (Citrus and Ladybeetles). What a sacrifice they made to come to a place at the other end of the world (Eucalyptus sojourn) . Flat broke. Leaving all that is familiar for who knew how long. Longing and wishing (‘Secrets and Dreams’) With Just each other and their wits their family grew and took root.
Taking Root I monoprint /collage (copyright johollier)
In my own life as a family we have lived and worked in Cocos (Keeling )Is , the Pacific Islands and Asia as well as other travels which are only hinted at. I have been the “Running Bird” and hope to continue to search to travel and to create.
Running Bird, Relief print monotype collage copyright johollier
“Sojourns” represents a reflection on feelings and memories of place and travels through composite prints and collaged print elements. In this exhibition I display past works incorporated as part of new directions in mixed print media. Each piece comprises multiple layered meaning where etching, relief printing and monotypes are combined with patterned stencils. The work indicates an artistic, emotional and physical journey through the creative process.
I think I have previously said I would write a blog regularly. Well it is really only worthwhile if one is dedicated to writing a blog. Lots has happened so todays is a start and i’ll work my way backwards.
Cheers,
JO