What's On

Braemar Gallery invites you to a new exhibition of landscape paintings by local artist Corinne Loxton. On Sacred Ground comprises plein-air paintings made during a residency in the Red Centre and large studio paintings made in the Blue Mountains. The works invite urban audiences to consider the mystical, sacred and environmental importance of nature and place.

At a time of unprecedented focus on what it means to be an Australian inhabiting this land, when the impacts of climate change are being felt across both urban and non-urban communities, where people are experiencing greater social and physical isolation and increased reliance on technology, Loxtons paintings invite a reconsideration of our connection with the earth.

Loxton writes, The impulse to travel to the desert to paint arose during a difficult time in my life. Amidst this struggle, I experienced consolation from stories and wisdom texts from the desert. Somehow, the barren, vast and harsh landscape of the desert had acted as both a haven and a catalyst for personal recovery and renewal in others. So, I wanted to go there, to experience first-hand its transformational power.

As Loxton anticipated bringing her artists gaze and brushes to the vast and dry landscape of the desert, she feared encountering dislocation and immobilising confusion. She wanted to explore the deserts unique character yet was acutely aware of her tenuous relationship with that landscape.

Like many desert pilgrims before me, the unfamiliar environment brought me face to face with my vulnerability. The ancient landforms and spaciousness of the place confronted me with my own fragility, the limits of my capacity and ultimately, my finiteness. I encountered silence and space, the gentle, faithful companionship of the earth, the creatures, and trees. The deserts symbolic resonance spoke to me; the beauty, often harsh or scarred, its persistence to adapt and survive extremes, its provision and scarcity.

You can learn how Loxton approaches landscape oil painting both in the studio and en plein air, as she discusses her process and demonstrates key techniques at the Artist Talk and Painting Demonstration on Sunday, 29 June 1 3 pm. Braemar Gallery invites you to this free event. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and observe Corinne painting. As places are limited, bookings are required for this activity. Please see Corinne's website.