Acrylic on Canvas
73cm x 73cm
Inspired by European tapestry, my work explores the collision of worlds during early settlement by juxtaposing Australian flora and fauna with colonial imagery. Rest 'n' Relaxation tells the story of Matthew Flinders seeking refuge from a summer storm and fishing among flowering banksia and Moodjar (Western Australian Christmas trees). The vibrant summer blooms mark the seasonal rhythms of the landscape, alongside Flinders and his ship, highlighting the meeting of natural cycles with moments of historical change.
Rest n Relaxation - Sharron Goodwin-Ryan
I trained in fine art at RMIT and am now based on the Surf Coast. Drawn to the natural world and the untamed Australian bush, I love camping and painting in remote places, which deepens my connection to landscape and the environment. My work, inspired by European tapestry, explores the collision of worlds during settlement by juxtaposing Australian flora and fauna with colonial motifs. I paint on canvas, wood, and shaped plywood, working both in the studio and on site, and my ceramic sculptures explore the same themes.
I also draw on my own ancestry, my father’s family arrived on the First Fleet and settled on the Hawkesbury River. I often imagine what they must have seen upon arriving in this vast land, which sparked my interest in history. Reading accounts of abundant wildlife and thick forests, my artworks weave together imagination, history, and storytelling.