Caitlyn McIntosh Art Exhibition: Antipodean
Timbermill Studios, Bulli. 23.11.21-05.12.21 - Two Week Solo
Emerging artist Caitlyn McIntosh, a Visual Arts teacher in the Wollongong region, is set to showcase artworks celebrating home and heritage in her first solo show entitled ‘Antipodean’. Caitlyn's curiosities with art and the natural world have inspired a multi-disciplinary exploration of media including painting, drawing, ceramics and digital photography. Antipodean, which Caitlyn describes as "a love letter to Earth, experience and kin”, will be exhibited at Timbermill Studios Bulli during the first two weeks of July. The colourful, expressive works feature landscapes and organic forms, drawing inspiration from the Northern Illawarra region, and spiritual places in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Depicting places that resonate strongly with the artist; both locally and abroad, Antipodean conveys her cultural and spiritual connections to land, water, and sky.
“As a child I grew up with the ocean, spending every summer playing at the beach or sailing in a little wooden sabot”, said Caitlyn. “I remember often gravitating towards creating makeshift sculptures with found objects, drawing patterns in the golden sand and being mesmerised by colour and light reflecting off the water. It was also at this time that my Kiwi parents took my siblings and I on a camping trip along the rugged coast of the South Island of New Zealand, awakening my awe of the ancient beauty of Aotearoa.” As she developed as an artist, subsequent exploration of North and South island and her own beautiful backyard in Wollongong have culminated in a vibrant celebration of natural beauty on both sides of the Tasman.
“I aim to show my appreciation for coastal living in Australia and imbue my Aotearoa connections. I respond to family memories and cultural cornerstones, like the colour of pounamu greenstone, mountains and seascapes. Creating this series allowed me to extend my appreciation for the beauty of the ephemeral natural world, capturing its’ awe in delicate details, and nurturing mindfulness.”
The opening evening will be on 26th November.
In between her travels and appreciating the rugged beauty of Wollongong, Caitlyn is creating and sharing her love for art and exploration with her high school students. A few poetic words from the artist;
“When I close my eyes,
I travel as wind trailing across ocean,
awakening seals to the stars,
cracking mountains and turning rivers.
Stirring colour and light.
Reaching stillness,
deep in awe and delight
in the apricot hills of Wanaka”.
