Residency report November: Jane Richens

The Gunyah provided an opportunity to concentrate on my art practice without the distractions of home. At the same time it has offered rest and relaxation that is so important to the creative process. We found nooks in the various spaces to create work spaces. I set up in the downstairs studio in front of the large window which was cool, had great light and plenty of opportunity to be mesmerized by that stunning bush meets cove view. My partner Brian set up his computer upstairs near the window seat looking out through the tree tops. The deck and the jetty became cherished spaces for social time and reflection.

My interest is working with forest ecosystems – through practical and science-based conservation of a rainforest on my property and in the speculative and abstract realms creating fictional botanical artworks. We currently live in a forest environment so it was rewarding to spend time observing the vegetation mix of the coastal ecosystem of North Arm Cove. But not unsurprisingly it was that key point of difference, the waterline, that was the most inspiring. The edges reveal such biodiversity. Neptune’s necklace, seagrapes, bubbleweed – poetic names for the beautiful treasures we discovered along the shore. Sargassum species with gas-filled bladders for buoyancy. And many more yet to be named and researched. The water/land interface is a place where things mix and get mixed up. A place where nature felts.

The shoreline vegetation-felt provided the impetus to experiment with new felting techniques using fabulous finds of threads and textiles in the op shops of Tea Gardens. It also provided a different set of visual forms to experiment with.

In the lead up to this residency I had been working on drawings towards an exhibition next year. The opportunity to have dedicated time to experiment with new techniques, materials and visual forms is invaluable and will feed into that exhibition. I should also mention the pleasure of rummaging around in the library – a gleaner’s paradise!

Thank you Kath and the Gunyah.

Jane Richens

November residency report