FINALIST - M16 ARTSPACE DRAWING PRIZE - M16 ARTSPACE - ACT

Thrilled and honoured to be selected in this very fine list of amazing artists who are finalists in the ‘M16 Artspace Drawing Prize’ in Griffith Canberra. The show will be opened on the 1st December at the M16 Artspace in Canberra when the winner will be announced.

The drawing prize has been a staple in M16 Artspace’s exhibition Calendar since 2006. It attracts hundreds of entries from across Australia and internationally.

The M16 Drawing Prize is for drawing in either traditional drawing media and techniques, or non-traditional works that extend understanding of what drawing may be within contemporary art practice.

The judges for this year’s prize are Megan Monte, curator and inaugural Director Ngununggulla and Dr. Sarina Noordhuis-Fairfax, Canberra-based artist, writer, curator and Curator, Australian Prints and Drawings at the National Gallery of Australia.

All works are available for purchase online and at the opening.

See all seventeen finalists HERE

‘Sounds of Pulpit Rock - Bundanon’, 103cm x 198cm, mixed media and photomontage on watercolour paper.

UPCOMING SOLO EXHIBITION - IN THE WAKE OF - HURSTVILLE MUSEUM AND GALLERY

Hot on the heels of my exhibition ‘Nebuchadnezzar Tree Dreaming’ currently on at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery (on until February 26th) I’m excited to announce my new upcoming exhibition ‘In the wake of…’ (opening 26th Feb) at Hurstville Museum and Gallery. This exhibition explores my time spent as artist-in-residence with Georges River Council Carss Park Cottage. The exhibition consisting of 24 works on paper and ceramics are presented as poetic evocations about my childhood looking across the bay. Please join me for an afternoon tea on Sunday 6th March at 3pm to view the exhibition. It’s a very different show to others I’ve had, with mostly bite sized works all for sale to the public. Much thanks to art curators Claire Baddeley and Renee Porter and the stellar crew at Hurstville Museum and Gallery for their care and invaluable support. You are fantastic!

ACB SELECTS - NATIONAL EMERGING ARTIST PRIZE (NEAP 2021 INAUGURAL)

So thrilled to be selected by the one and only Amber Creswell Bell who was one of the judges from NEAP National Emerging Art Prize 2021 as one in a handful of artists from a whopping 1498 entries for the first ever annual ‘ACB Selects’ exhibition on behalf of Michael Reid Northern Beaches Gallery. Thank you Amber for showcasing my ceramic work amongst your amazing selection. I’m so honoured. 

This online exhibition will go LIVE on Thursday 17th February on the National Emerging Art Prize website and will be made up of Amber Creswell Bell’s own personal painting and ceramic selections from the submissions to the 2021 National Emerging Art Prize (NEAP). All works will feature for sale.

FINALIST - ADELAIDE PERRY PRIZE FOR DRAWING 2022 - ADELAIDE PERRY GALLERY PLC SYDNEY

It’s so lovely to start the year off with some great news!

I’m feeling very humbled and delighted to be selected as a finalist in the ‘Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing 2022’ by judge Dr Andrew Frost, art critic, lecturer and broadcaster. The shortlist of finalists represents some of Australia’s most esteemed talent and I’m so proud to be represented amongst so many incredible artistic peers.

The Adelaide Perry Gallery received over 400 entries for the 17th Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing. The annual $25,000 acquisitive prize, generously supported by PLC Sydney Parents and Friends’ Association, drew entries from across Australia and the College was delighted to have the participation and expertise of Dr Andrew Frost who created a shortlist of 46 finalists (see below) for the award. Dr Frost returns to the Gallery in February to select the overall winner.

The Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing Exhibition of Finalists 2022 is open to the public, by appointment only from 26 February – 25 March. 
Gallery hours 8.30 am – 4.00 pm weekdays and 11.00 am – 4.00 pm Saturdays. 

To make a booking please email adelaideperrygallery@plc.nsw.edu.au

Congratulations to this year’s finalists in the Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing 2022!

THE 2022 SHORTLISTED ARTISTS ARE:

UPCOMING SOLO EXHIBITION 2022 - NEBUCHADNEZZAR TREE DREAMING - SHOALHAVEN REGIONAL GALLERY

I’m really excited about my upcoming exhibition at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery this February which includes works on paper and ceramics. Huge thanks to the lovely curatorial team Bronwyn Coulston and Bridget Macleod at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery for their incredible support and assistance in helping me make my show such a pleasurable experience.

Artist Statement:

…”I fell in love with a tree. As ludicrous as it sounds, this was no ordinary tree. It was a tree within a tree. And as my love for it grew, so did my need to connect with its environment.

This infatuation began in 2018 when I was Artist-in-Residence at Bundanon Trust. I made a subconscious connection to this tree through Arthur Boyd’s painting: ‘Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree’ 1966-69. The discovery took me on a journey like Nebuchadnezzar, on a lusting experience to creatively claim everything around me without any acknowledgement of God.

The exhibition illustrates personal and universal evocations exploring power, lust, greed, pleasure, guilt and emotional, spiritual and physical deprivation and highlights my ongoing interest in hybrid dialogues between art history and psychological phenomenons.

Each work on paper is accompanied by a response in clay to further reinforce surreal and existential insights into the artists’ work and creative process”.

- Louisa Chircop 2021

Due to Covid the official public opening of the exhibition has been cancelled however a private event may be organised at a later date and bookings will be made available via a bookings link.

IMAGE: LOUISA CHIRCOP,

'NEBUCHADNEZZAR TREE DREAMING (SERIES)'

MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER, 50CM X 40CM

WINNER 'HIGHLY COMMENDED' - PADDINGTON ART PRIZE 2021

So proud to have have won ‘Highly Commended’ in this year’s Paddington Art Prize for my work ‘Bush Embrace - Pulpit Rock Bundanon’ selected by artist/curator Julia Martin.

Big Congratulations to all the finalists and other winners, especially winner of the Paddington Art prize Sophie Cape. Thank you to the judges artist and winner of the 2017 Paddington Art Prize Tim Allen, Director and CEO of the National Art School Steve Alderton and Senior Curator at Manly Art Gallery & Museum Katherine Roberts.

Special heartfelt thanks to Marlene Antico Founder and Principal Sponsor of the Paddington Art Prize, Chris Antico, Pia Antico, Defiance Gallery other affiliated sponsors and the lovely Andrew Treloar for their generosity, kindness and support during the exhibition and award presentation. Their continual support for the arts and artists is undoubtedly treasured and valued.

The exhibition of National finalists will continue at Defiance Gallery from Friday 15 October to Sunday 24 October 2021 (11am – 5pm). See winners and finalists here

(Left to right artists) Overall Winner Sophie Cape, Louisa Chircop and Pamela Honeyfield.

Chris Antico Principal Co-Sponsor and Louisa Chircop Winner of ‘Highly Commended’ Paddington Art Prize sponsored by artist/curator Julia Martin.

FINALIST - PADDINGTON ART PRIZE 2021

What an honour to be selected as a finalist amongst such an amazing line up of Australian artists with my work ‘Bush Embrace - Pulpit Rock Bundanon’ in this year’s Paddington Art Prize. The exhibition of national finalists will be exhibited at Defiance Gallery Paddington Sydney and the winners will be announced on Thursday 14 October 2021 with the exhibition open from the 15th October until to Sunday 24 October 2021 .

Congratulations to all the finalists! and a huge thank you to the highIy esteemed panel of judges Katherine Roberts Senior Curator at Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Tim Allen Visual Artist and Winner of the 2017 Paddington Art Prize and Steven Alderton Director and CEO of the National Art School for selecting my work. I cannot wait to see their selection.

See selected finalists here

The Paddington Art Prize is a $30,000 National acquisitive prize, awarded annually for a painting inspired by the Australian landscape. Established in 2004 by Arts Patron, Marlene Antico OAM, this National prize takes its place among the country’s most lucrative and highly coveted painting prizes.

 The prize encourages the interpretation of the landscape as a significant contemporary genre, its long tradition in Australian painting as a key contributor to our national ethos, and is a positive initiative in private patronage of the arts in Australia.

Marlene Antico OAM, created the Prize in order to assist with the monetary difficulties that often impede artists from showcasing their works. As an art student, gallery owner and volunteer guide at the AGNSW for over 10 years, she has underscored her commitment to supporting contemporary Australian artists, aware, of the financial concerns that prevent many artists from devoting themselves entirely to their art practice.

 In 2017, Chris Antico, Marlene’s son joined as Principal Co-sponsor of the prize. The Paddington Art Prize appreciates the ongoing generosity of the following key sponsors and supporters: Marlene Antico OAM, Chris Antico, UNSW Art & Design, The Sydney Art Store, Sofala Cottage, Charvin Oils, Lucio’s Italian Restaurant, Defiance Gallery,  Nock Art Foundation, Tracey Deep Floral Sculptures, Valiant Hire and Woollahra Municipal Council.

‘Bush Embrace - Pulpit Rock Bundanon’, Mixed media and photomontage on watercolour paper, 150cm x 100cm

Bush Embrace is about the Australian landscape during the pandemic. The solitude and the longing for company and simple contact. Like giving a hug (something we’ve all missed). This interplay of mixed media with a subconscious painting approach exposes life and landscape at its most bittersweet.

FINALIST - HAZELHURST ART ON PAPER AWARD 2021

It’s so wonderful to be selected as a finalist in this years ‘Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award’ amongst some of Australia’s finest artists working in the medium of paper.

Since 2001 The Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award has been a significant national biennial exhibition that aims to elevate the status of works on paper while supporting and promoting artists working with this medium.

The Awards include the Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award of $15,000; the Young and Early Career Art Award of $5,000; the Local Artist Award of $5,000 (sponsored by the Friends of Hazelhurst); the Preparator’s Residency Award and the $1,000 People’s Choice Award.

This year Hazelhurst received entries from over 700 artists from throughout Australia. The following artists were selected for the Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award 2021:

2021 Hazelhurst Art on Paper Finalists

FINALIST - SPLASH McCLELLAND CONTEMPORARY WATERCOLOUR AWARD 2021 - McCLELLAND SCULPTURE PARK AND GALLERY

So lovely to get this news during Sydney’s Covid lockdown! and so proud to be selected as a finalist in the acquisitive Splash McClelland Contemporary Watercolour Award with my work ‘A Garden of Earthly Delights-Happiness is like Glass it soon breaks’ 2017

Held at McClelland every three years, the Splash: McClelland Contemporary Watercolour Award was established to showcase Australian artists who work in the medium of watercolour. It is an acquisitive award with funds from the Fornari Bequest, by the Will of the late Lena May Fornari, and is a legacy of her support for the arts in Victoria. Lena May was an ardent collector of works by the watercolourist Herbert Rose, which she also left to McClelland, and the first acquisitions through this Bequest were significant watercolours. Continuing this tradition, Splash focuses on contemporary watercolour practice.

In 2021 this acquisitive award will be granted to three outstanding original artworks in the medium of watercolour, which will all become part of the McClelland collection. Offering three awards will allow us to more broadly support artists during this challenging time. The awards aim to promote artistic excellence, while expanding McClelland’s significant collection for the benefit of the local community as well as wider Australian and international audiences.

Three acquisitive awards of $10,000 for original works in watercolour.

The prize will be judged by Kirsty Grant, Freelance Curator and Writer; Melissa Keys, Curator,
Buxton Contemporary; and Sim Luttin, Curator and Gallery Manager, Arts Project Australia.

Prize winners will be announced at the exhibition opening event.

UPCOMING! 'RECIPROCITY' EXHIBITION AND BOOK LAUNCH AT HAZELHURST ARTS CENTRE - Curated by Caitlin Casey

Not long now before the official opening of our group exhibition ‘Reciprocity’ opens to the public at the wonderful Hazelhurst Arts Centre curated by the amazing Caitlin Casey. The exhibition features contemporary established and emerging ceramicists and painters working together collaboratively and the project was designed as an open-ended conversation between these two artforms. Artists involved: Louisa Chircop, Kiata Mason, Jean McGhee, Tim Allen, Natalya Shinn, Tatiana Wans, Hayley West, Mirra Whale, Charmaine Pike, Ann Thompson and Agatha Pupaher.

To accompany the exhibition there will be a book launch of ‘Reciprocity - The Book’ published through Dr Gareth Jenkins’ Apothecary Archive which also includes poetry of his own accompanied by a contextualising essay written by Curator Caitlin Casey. The book will also contain images of the artists’ collaborations and work. The book provides an intimate view into the practices at play when diverse artists are inspired to make together.

Exhibition opens Saturday 26th June 2021 in the Broadhurst Gallery at Hazelhurst Arts Centre 2-4pm.

Covid restrictions apply. Please RSVP Caitlin Casey: Caitlincaseya@gmail.com

Please see exhibition invite below and accompanying image of the publication which can be purchased by clicking here.

Exhibition Invite

‘Reciprocity -The Book’ published by Apothecary Archive published by Dr Gareth Jenkins and essay by Curator Caitlin Casey.

'TALKING WITH PAINTERS' - FILIPPA BUTTITTA WITH LOUISA CHIRCOP -PODCAST EPISODE 109 BY MARIA STOLJAR

Listen in here to the latest Episode of ‘Talking with Painters’ with Maria Stoljar, where she interviews my stoic and incredible friend and fellow Australian artist Filippa Buttitta who I’ve painted for this year’s Archibald Prize. I will assure you that after listening to the podcast about Filippa’s own journey painting her Archibald subject brain surgeon, Professor Dr Charlie Teo, Filippa will leave you feeling nothing but touched and inspired.

UPCOMING! 'TALKING WITH PAINTERS' PODCAST EPISODE 109 BY MARIA STOLJAR

My Archibald subject this year is my amazing artist friend Filippa Buttitta. We’ve just been interviewed by Maria Stoljar from ‘Talking with Painters’ podcast series Episode 109 chatting about our Archibald Prize entries. Her first ever double podcast interview coming up next week.

Stay tuned for when it drops!

FINALIST - MILBURN ART PRIZE 2021 - BRISBANE INSTITUTE OF ART

I’m very excited to be selected as a finalist in this year’s Milburn Art Prize at the Brisbane Institute of Art with my work ‘Sounds at Pulpit Rock Bundanon’. Good luck to all the finalists selected in this year’s prize.

The 2021 Milburn Art Prize for Landscape reflects the evolving nature and aims of BIA to honour Paul Milburn, a much loved and respected tutor who began teaching in 1989 at BIA until his death in 2011. With this in mind we offer a prize of $10,000 awarded for a 2d artwork addressing the spirit of Paul Milburn’s legacy and John Peart’s musings on landscape as quoted below. Accepted media includes painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media and photography.

I see pictorial space as an inner landscape for the mind’s eye to roam; so it is not surprising if my paintings evoke the feeling of landscape. (I) know it is a mental projection but it is inherently delightful. While painting, I am issuing an open invitation for these illusions - or allusions – to enter. My conscious mind can be occupied with the making, and the unconscious can come up with its own surprises. John Peart

‘Sounds at Pulpit Rock Bundanon’, 103cm x 66cm, mixed media on water colour paper

FINALIST - ADELAIDE PERRY PRIZE FOR DRAWING 2021

What a way to start 2021!

I’ve been selected as a finalist in this year’s ‘Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing’ by one of Australia’s most esteemed and foremost contemporary artists Lindy Lee.

This year, PLC Sydney’s annual Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing received over 480 entries from artists across Australia. PLC Sydney was honoured to have the participation of esteemed artist Lindy Lee, as judge who viewed submissions in January and made a selection of 44 finalists. Lindy will visit the Gallery in February, just prior to the official opening of the 2021 Exhibition of Finalists, to decide upon the overall winner of the $25,000 acquisitive prize. The Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing 2021 Exhibition of Finalists opens at 7.00 pm Friday 26 February.

Congratulations to this year’s finalists in the Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing!

Finalist - ‘Self as Water Feature', mixed media and photomontage on watercolour paper, 103cm x 56cm

CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS AT HAZELHURST ARTS CENTRE 20|20

We’ve made ‘The Leader’ and The Shire is celebrating!

Hazelhurst Arts Centre turns twenty years old and is in the spotlight and so am I along with these amazing artists Michelle Cawthorn, Bob Marchant and George Gittoes along with Hazelhurst Art Centre chairman Byron Hurst and 350 artists in Hazelhurst 20|20 a group exhibition curated by Carrie Kibbler opening this month. I couldn’t be prouder to be apart of the Hazelhurst family and to be invited to represent our local regional gallery.

Keep an eye out for the Hazelhurst Exhibition program called Twenty Arty Acts, an online arts program in which I have been invited to contribute along with nineteen other artists. New content will be released each week with art making, videos, instructional activities and more! I’ll also be interviewed for a short feature film documentary about Hazelhurst Arts Centre.

Exhibition opens 21st November 2020 until 31st January 2021 (Free admission daily 10am - 4pm)

See ‘The Leader ‘ news HERE

Picture: Hazelhurst artists and Hazelhurst Art Centre Byron Hurst from left to Right, Louisa Chircop,Bob Marchant, Byron Hurst, Michelle Cawthorn and George Gittoes.

FINALIST - 2020 PADDINGTON ART PRIZE

What an honour to be selected as a finalist in this year’s Paddington Art Prize with my work ‘In Love and War -Archibald Fountain Hyde Park’ amongst such an amazing line up of Australian artists. The exhibition of national finalists will be exhibited at Defiance Gallery Paddington Sydney and the winners will be announced on Thursday 29th October 2020. Congratulations to all the finalists! and a huge thank you to the highIy esteemed panel of judges Ross Laurie, Rhonda Davis and Jeanette Siebols for selecting my work. I cannot wait to see their selection.

See selected finalists here

………………

The Paddington Art Prize is a $30,000 National acquisitive prize, awarded annually for a painting inspired by the Australian landscape. Established in 2004 by Arts Patron, Marlene Antico OAM, this National prize takes its place among the country’s most lucrative and highly coveted painting prizes.

 The prize encourages the interpretation of the landscape as a significant contemporary genre, its long tradition in Australian painting as a key contributor to our national ethos, and is a positive initiative in private patronage of the arts in Australia.

Marlene Antico OAM, created the Prize in order to assist with the monetary difficulties that often impede artists from showcasing their works. As an art student, gallery owner and volunteer guide at the AGNSW for over 10 years, she has underscored her commitment to supporting contemporary Australian artists, aware, of the financial concerns that prevent many artists from devoting themselves entirely to their art practice.

In 2017, Chris Antico, Marlene’s son joined as Principal Co-sponsor of the prize. The Paddington Art Prize appreciates the ongoing generosity of the following key sponsors and supporters: Marlene Antico OAM, Chris Antico, UNSW Art & Design, The Sydney Art Store, Sofala Cottage, Charvin Oils, Lucio’s Italian Restaurant, Defiance Gallery,  Nock Art Foundation, Tracey Deep Floral Sculptures, Valiant Hire and Woollahra Municipal Council.

…………………

A $30,000 Annual National Acquisitive Prize for a painting inspired by
the Australian Landscape

Sponsored by Marlene Antico OAM.

We also have five non-acquisitive prizes listed below:

HONOURABLE MENTION PRIZE

a $3,000 prize  sponsored by Chris Antico (Co-Principal Sponsor)

HIGHLY COMMENDED PRIZE

$1,000 prize

DEFIANCE GALLERY AWARD

 Two artists selected from the 2020 submissions will be chosen by Directors Campbell Robertson-Swann &  Lauren Harvey, and offered an exhibition with Defiance Gallery at Mary Place, Sydney in 2021.

NOCK ART FOUNDATION PRIZE

 Michael Nock will offer the TWO above mentioned selected artists a 3 week Residency at “Giverny”, Queenstown, New Zealand. With artist studios and airfares included.

UNSW ART & DESIGN PRIZE

will offer a chosen artist the opportunity to create a limited edition print

with Master Printer, Michael Kempson.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

$1,000 gift certificate from Theresa Sarjeant of Fine Art Imaging

‘In Love and War - Archibald Fountain Hyde Park’ 2020, Mixed media and photomontage on Saunders Waterford Paper, 150cm x 100cm

Parks are landscapes. They often feature structures that tell narratives about the built history of our landscape. With the looming 100 year anniversary of the Archibald Prize I painted the famous Archibald Fountain in the iconic Hyde Park. It’s location, a junction point called ‘Birubi Circle’.

WINNER - 2020 JOHN COPES PORTRAIT PRIZE - BOWRAL ART GALLERY

It’s still sinking in that I just won the John Copes Portrait Prize at Bowral Art Gallery today. Huge congratulations to all the wonderful finalists and other prize winners! It was such a beautiful opening thanks to all the lovely Southern Highlands Community who came along and congratulated me. Big thanks to Black Parrot Art Framing who did an amazing and immaculate job with framing my work (and even delivering it to the gallery for me), what a team! And lastly, huge gratitude to judge Ben Quilty.

The John Copes Prize for Representational Art is becoming recognised as a leading are prize for representational work. It was instigated as a memorial to his father John, by Tim Copes.

The Prize attracts some of the finest representational artists throughout the state as well as other states across Australia.

See Youtube link here>

2020 John Copes Portrait Prize, Bowral Art Gallery

UPCOMING! 'TALKING WITH PAINTERS' AUSTRALIAN PODCAST SERIES BY MARIA STOLJAR

I’m thrilled and honoured to be invited to talk on Maria Stoljar’s ‘Talking with Painters’ Australian podcast series very soon. The podcast is full of the personal stories of the painters of Australia – leading, mid-career and emerging – not only as to how they live and work as artists, but how they became an artist in the first place, the highs and lows and what they’re working on now.

In 2020 the podcast was listed in British auction house Christie’s ‘Best art-world podcasts’ and frequently appears at the top of the Apple Podcasts Australian Visual Arts charts. It has also been recommended by Art Almanac and featured in Zart Art magazine.

I’ve long been a fan of this very popular podcast series, so it’s a bit surreal to be asked for an interview.

Follow ‘Talking with Painters’ on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Hope you enjoy listening!

Listen to the podcast here.

COLLABORATION - CLOS MILAN 2018 FIRST RELEASE IN TEN YEARS - SAINT RÉMY DE PROVENCE FRANCE

It’s bottled, labelled and ready to be enjoyed! I’m very pleased with the outcome and so honoured to be featured on Domaine Milan’s 2018 C.L.O.S MILAN as their first international artist from Australia. I’m also very blessed that the original artwork done for the label will form part of their private Art Collection at the winery for all to enjoy.

It was extremely humbling to have Henri Milan fall in love with the work that I created for the label (In true French passionate fashion!) he commented that I very successfully captured… “the true embodiment of their philosophy behind their natural process with the work”…the philosophy they pride being a love in… “an organic farming approach, the harmony created by a biodynamic practice in the mind and the simple influences of the moon on the rhythms of the seas, of women and of men…” to produce their exclusive sulphur free wines that travel far and wide.

My collaboration with this gorgeous family owned boutique winery in the heart of the Alpilles has been one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences that I cherished whilst spending time in France on Art Residency. The experience and the connection to the very special community in Saint Rémy has brought me much happiness and new found friends that will be around for many years to come.

I look forward to returning to France one day soon to celebrate our union (of course drinking the fine wine!), continuing friendships and making many more.

Thank you to all who made this possible!

Mes sincéres remerciements! X

C.L.O.S 2018 Artwork featured ‘Vénus cousant la brise’ (Venus sewing the breeze) by Louisa Chircop

DR JULIE KEYS - ACCLAIMED AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR REVIEWS 'COME SHOWER WITH ME'

Feeling extremely humbled and privileged to have struck up a wonderful friendship with the amazing Australian author Julie Keys, whose debut novel The Artist's Portrait which was shortlisted for The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers in 2017 and published by Hachett Australia is going gangbusters. Julie became fascinated by my art and my journey as an artist and attended my exhibition Come Shower With Me currently on at The SHAC Robertson NSW. She was kind enough to put pen to paper and write a review. Read about it here.

Louisa Chircop – Come shower with me

I met Louisa on Instagram. She followed me. I followed her back. She posted photos of artwork. Hers. Striking images with elements of the surreal that centred on scenes of her showering.  I pressed the screen to get a closer look. But those phones, they’re just not big enough. 

I’d developed a fascination for visual arts. This happened while I was doing background research for a novel I was writing.  I became absorbed – went to exhibitions, listened to talks, sat in on workshops, poured myself into textures and scents and images, taking in the debates and controversy on what made art and artists great, all the while wondering if  I was really getting it.  That whole visceral reaction people talked about eluded me. I felt distant, aloof until I came across something of Rothko’s from the 1930’s; streamlined bodies standing on a subway their heads curved forward like hooks.  My chest thumped. I sucked in a breath. The next time was over a painting by Vida Lahey.

Half a dozen years later I was trying to get a better look at Louisa’s work on a dodgy phone beneath poor lighting. Something had caught my attention. I was curious. The paintings, it turned out, were part of an exhibition. Come shower with me.  I DM’ed Louisa.

I have not lost that awkward, slightly uncomfortable feel of going to an exhibition and of being around art. Not that I want things too sweet. I crave art that widens my eyes, gives me that cold shiver, makes me want to look. The gallery was light and warm. I relaxed. It was an easy space to be in and Louisa’s work encouraged me to stand closer, stand further away, scrunch my eyes, hold out my hand, see everything.

Showering is mostly a solo activity for me, a sanctuary, a place of contemplation. But there I was being invited to join Louisa in that private moment when thoughts disassembled, dripped from your hair and fingers and swirled around your skin, ingesting body parts with tarry thick ideas before they disappeared down the plughole if you didn’t get hold of them. I walked the shape of a U in the gallery absorbing pieces of  Louisa’s gaze, bold fragments, exchanging energy in my own conversation with each canvas, craning my neck for one last look before I moved onto the next one.

Then, I found the artist, the flesh and blood one. This was the first time Louisa and I had met in real life. There were no profound questions from me. My head was full of  thoughts and impressions and sensations that I needed to process. The questions would come later – after I’d had time to stew on it. What I did instead was position Louisa in front of the largest canvas, took photos then got someone to take photos of the two of us together, tourist style – post shower. And for some reason that seemed exactly the right thing to do. 

Louisa Chircop – Come shower with me

The SHAC, Robertson

February 22nd to March 16th

SHORTLISTED FOR THE MUD LITERARY PRIZE 2020. A story about art, murder, and making your place in history.

'An intriguing read with compelling descriptions of early 20th-century Sydney in all its squalor, debauchery and fascinating historical detail.' Who Weekly

Read More about Julie Keys here.