This artwork is from a series of sixteen artworks I created during Melbournes lockdown period of 2021. We had moved into a new apartment in Richmond and apart from our new amazing city view we now looked out upon the Nylex Plastic sign and silos, an iconic landmark in Melbournes urban landscape.
This particular painting is a familiar view for walkers, bike riders and those travelling along the Yarra river an beneath the Hoddle bridge. The Nylex clock and silos reflect and create swirling lines on the rivers surface.
When we moved into the area, I quickly observed the different light and shadows that roll across the silos throughout the day from dawn until dusk. The atmospheric conditions often create many unexpected colours and variations and I’ve tried to capture these fleeting shifts and moments in my artwork.
Oranges, pinks, purples, blues - the silos are imposing, still and solitary structures but, from my perspective, always subtly changing. Absorbing the bright, golden sunrise in the mornings, reflecting a purple hue from the sky, casting dark abstracted shadows under the midday sun, and absorbing darkness in silhouette against a dramatic sunset or the trails of water pouring down in our frequent rain. Here, the warmth of the sunset glowing on the silos is relected upon the Yarra River, beautifully distorting and flipping the iconic Nylex Plastics sign.
Out of my window during lockdown I also noticed many discarded timber panels that were destined for the scrap bin (prior to both the builder and developer both going in to liquidation over this period). Fortunately, I was able to salvage many pieces and use them for this series of work, which is why there are many inconsistent sized artworks. I enjoyed preparing the panels for painting with tools and was delighted to work with the texture and imperfections, to retain their visibility in the work - emphasising the character of the subject. I love the effects the knots in timber creates in this painting, 'Just under the Bridge'
Working with bold applications of oils colour, I found I was able to portray the colours I was seeing with a visible richness, whilst still incorporating many of the finer details. I often create the composition quite quickly and then immerse myself in the details.
All part of an enjoyable process!
As an Artist, I am inspired by celebrating extraordinary things within my ordinary, everyday surroundings. Out of my window over lockdown, I observed these huge, grey concrete pillars with their stains, scars, cracks, graffiti (and a clock that doesn’t work!) in a new light, and I hope after viewing the artworks avaialble from this series, you will too!
Select this original, 'iconic' scene of Melbourne for your own home, or buy as a gift for someone whose heart belongs to Melbourne!
Professionally framed and ready to hang