Dianne Fogwell, “Community”. |
VISUAL dreamscapes through layers of poetic content that express the natural world. This is one way to describe the artworks of Dianne Fogwell.
Canberra local and the 2021 “CityNews” Artist of the Year Dianne Fogwell captures the flora and fauna of the world around her through the power of water in this exhibition.
Fogwell has them owning the landscape. They are not just part of the panorama; they make it a picture worth capturing. The 27 circular linocuts, titled “Flock series”, in one space, depicts birds in different phases of flight and rest. It’s like a catalogue of local birds. They are also studies of form and character. Most are mid-flight with wings spread, you can feel their power and grace.
The work titled “Community”, oil on board, has dozens of different birds situated on a wetland that looks like it is around the National Arboretum. Yet it’s an imaginary setting of many local birds just being themselves. But it’s the crows that stand out because she captures them with such lifelike resemblance: they look as they do in nature.
There’s a different pallet for many of the works. But it’s the strength of and connection to water that invades every work. It is calm lake water, in many shades and tones. It supports the flora and fauna. It’s resilient as it is radiant, it’s everywhere.
There may not be a strong philosophical statement in these works, but it’s a capturing of the living world through an artist’s eye. Everyone can feel that this is what it could be like if we could all see as an artist does.
First published in Canberra City News online edition, June 2, 2023
Websites for further info:
Dianne Fogwell - featured artist at Australian Galleries
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