Artwork Explained: “Home”

The ‘Artwork Explained’ Blog series is where I share a bit of information behind some of my Artworks. This can include the mediums used, the incentive behind creating them, the story behind them or what was happening in my world during that time. I take caution in not explaining too much about what the artworks represent, as I would like to adhere to my belief that Art is always perceived uniquely to each individual.

HOME

In 2017 my brother and I packed up our lives, bought an old 1964 Millard Princess caravan and set off to travel Australia. I had never seen another state other than my own- Western Australia, and I could never have anticipated what was to come. As a child, my imagination was constantly stimulated by the abundance of nature around me- which was basically fuel to the fire of my desire to create Art- but as life in the Western world has it, our gradual transition into adulthood is full of distraction and responsibility, and I was completely unaware of how disconnected I had become from both myself and the world around me. My sense of wonder lay dormant underneath the accumulation of years of trying times, and this was the first time since my childhood that I felt truly free… Free to wander, to observe, to bask in the warm silence of nothing but a vast open spans of landscape. To learn valuable skills from my brother- like how to pitch a swag, what to do in particular emergency situations, how to navigate using the sun and the stars... I was free to be alone, to indulge within my own mind, to become acquainted with this 22 year old woman I had become. To observe the peculiar behaviours of the natural world, to step out of my comfort zone, to acquire impactful experiences that I can relive in my memories.

When our trip was over and we had settled back home in our state of Western Australia, I was overcome by a powerful feeling of nostalgia for the sense of freedom I had possessed for the past year. Reality had set in and it was a claustrophobic feeling; back to securing a job and maintaining a “normal” lifestyle. No more sitting in our camp chairs under the shade of our tarp as the sun set and talking about life. No more waking up to the sunrise and having no idea where our day was going to take us. No more long drives across large, open landscapes for hours just listening to our music. So I did what I typically do, and painted about it. I chose two photos that I believed summed up what I missed most, and combined them together to create the piece I would later call ‘Home’. Due to its immense sentimental value to me and my brother, this will remain our property and never be up for sale. As a print of this piece hangs humbly on the walls of the café I work at, I often catch a glance of people- particularly older gentlemen- really gazing into it, and I always wonder what it is that this painting makes them think about. Does it bring back memories of their own glory days? Are they simply appreciating the technique of creating it? How does it speak to them? And that is one of my favourite aspects of Art.

Until next time, keep creating. Madeline x