Today I had the pleasure of visiting the Kyeema Gallery to see the latest works by Carole Osmotherly. Carole is known for her contemporary method of silk painting. This exhibition is a fantastic example of why.
Inspired by the private Oakvale Gardens at Hall, this is Carole’s first Solo Exhibition since 2014.
This exhibition of paintings on silk, by local artist Carole Osmotherly, has been inspired by “Oakvale”, a most beautiful private garden situated in Canberra. The artist has created a series of paintings reflecting her interpretation of photographs taken in early summer, autumn and winter. She believes that painting on silk has helped her to capture some of the beauty of the garden.
The technique Carole uses is complex and needs a high level of pre-planning. To create each work, silk is stretched across a wooden frame ready for the paint to be applied. To achieve the desired image, light colours are applied first. The artist uses hot wax to fix the paint and the process is repeated with each colour until the darkest colour has been applied. At this point the silk is completely covered in wax. The work is then steamed to remove the wax and fix the colour.
Working on silk is unforgiving as the paint moves freely across the silk and once applied it cannot be removed. In addition, the colour of the work is obscured by the wax, making it difficult to see the image. To further complicate things, the final process of steaming intensifies the colours. It is not until the work has been washed and pressed, that Carole is able to see if the work has turned out as she intended.
This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see a significant number of paintings on silk using this complex technique.
Views across the pond, children playing with leaves in the Autumn and walks along garden pathways all bring a warmth to the room. Congratulations Carole for such a wonderful, successful Exhibition.
