Most of us can’t get down to Burnie to see the works in the Print Prize this time. I will be publishing as many of the successful Sydney Printmakers works as I can here, together with the artists statements where available.
Anna Russell, Voyagers, woodblock, stencil, collage, 55×58 USP 2019
Voyagers
This is a whale’s eye view of voyaging from the harshness of the Antarctic to the warmth of calm subtropical waters, the land appearing from time to time on the horizon. The voyage depends on successful avoidance of the land in an ocean of distracting sounds.
Tensions in this work suggest navigation into the unknown, facing risk, bracing for the unexpected. Safe harbours are hard to find. We’ve made progress internationally in saving whales from slaughter but they still live with hazards we have created.
Meanwhile we have our own voyage into the unknown as the climate changes. Can our work with the whales show us how to act collectively, to make order and balance out of the chaos of our current consuming?
Congratulations Anna. Another thoughtful work!