Marion Van Den Driesschen

THE chaos of textures, colours, flowing forms and layered elements that are knitted together in the Australian landscape are a constant fascination and source of inspiration. The sculptured contours of the human torso remain a wonder that relates also to shapes observed in the curves and flowing forms of weathered rocks or water-carved gorges. An influential mentor once encouraged me to focus on the process instead of the finished work - to tear, cut, paste, add textures, build layers and create tensions in my work that pushed me beyond safe boundaries. Mixed media and collage, using recycled pieces from my own paintings, became a means of exploration. Sometimes adding pieces to a work creates a tension that has to be resolved, sometimes it creates a paradox of dimensions in a landscape that feels like worlds within worlds. Lloyd Rees once said: 'My advice to young artists is to put everything into a painting and then simplify.' This has been a guiding principal for me throughout my career. The reductive process became one of creating a lyrical, poetic order out of chaos. Living on Pittwater for the last 6 years has been an inspiration for the creative spirit. One feels nurtured by the natural beauty of the landscape, the wind and water, the marvelous wildlife, moonlit nights and of course the community itself.

Born 1953, Sydney. Studied art, majoring in Life Drawing and Painting at Hornsby TAFE in 1986. Has since exhibited in over 15 group and 14 solo shows, and received numerous private and corporate commissions including: Accor Asia Pacific for DHH Hotels (stylist); BHP Home Design of the Year Award 1994 (Balmain Lanes lithographs); and CIG Human Resources Office 1990 (Figurative Series). Her work is held in private and corporate collections in Australia, the US and the Netherlands. For further information contact Gillian Noble at TheWashhouse Gallery, Rozelle, NSW. Ph: 0425 248 334. Email: gillian@ washhousegallery.com.au - or the artist on (02) 9979 3993. 'Dance of Life #6', 2002, acrylic and mixed media on cloth paper, 85 x 63 cm 'Dance of Life #1', 2003, oil on canvas, 90 x 33 cm 'Dance of Life #5', 2004, acrylic and mixed media on cloth paper, 85 x 63 cm 'Rock Pool', 1998, oil on canvas, 180 x 84 cm 'Canyonland: Islands in the Sky', 1998, acrylic and mixed media on cloth paper, 105 x 85 cm 'Confluence', 1996, oil on canvas, 153 x 122 cm