'The Dark Dam — Lucy Hersey

Artist Statement

Lucy Hersey creates paintings that are as much of the land as they are about the landscape. Using locally collected earth pigments, she hand makes her own paint, drawing inspiration from the location and materials to create work with significant commitment to process and connection to place.

Theme: SCALE

I am very interested in the process of painting, particularly the production of paint and the significance of pigments and colour use throughout history. My practice draws on the techniques of the old masters, as I hand grind, sieve, wash and mull locally collected earth pigments to make my own natural paint and paintings that speak of a deep connection to the landscape both in composition and materiality. I am inspired by the Australian Impressionists, with their immersive practices and dedication to capturing the landscape. Many of my paintings are completed en plein air, or based on small plein air studies. Using self-sourced natural pigments is a deliberate choice - for sustainability, and the ability to account for this element in my supply chain - and conceptually, for the connection to place through choice of material— painting landscapes with the landscape.

— Lucy Hersey, Loch, VIC