A Tale Of Two Sisters

A Tale of Two Sisters
Janina M. Born in Poland 1939
Sophie D. Born in Poland 1942

Sophie and Janina, left Poland as little girls and lived in a work camp in Germany for some time until the war was over. Then they moved with their parents to Australia.
Janina was older, bolder and always in trouble according to Sophie. Sophie is the quieter of the two, dry and direct. They both married and had children. Janina was very Polish. She spoke with an accent and wore bright lipstick that matched her nails. She taught me most of the Polish words I know. I didn’t know that Janina and Sophie were sisters for many years. Sophie was quiet, spoke with an Australian accent and had anglicised her name from Zofia.
When I finally realised they were sisters I explained to Sophie that she didn’t seem Polish at all. She replied “Oh, that’s the loveliest thing anyone has ever said to me”. Two sisters, similar looking but inside could not be more different.

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Nell was raised in the south west of Western Australia. Living in small towns with strong communities and spending her time largely outdoors. Whether in the native bush, or by the ocean.

Nell predominantly worked in graphite and charcoal in her 20s. Traveling extensively called for a creative practice that was light on the luggage. Becoming a mother and wife has changed her perspective on life and herself. Having a creative outlet is refreshing to the soul and brings a new dimension to living. Especially as a mother, Nell felt the need for a creative practice that expressed who she was inside.

Nell has become fascinated with naturally occurring shapes and curves on her journey. The play of light and shadow. The composition of objects creating balance is key to her work. A simple but bold colour palette completes her paintings. And above all, shadows. The image thrown by a shadow brings a new dimension to the object, creating as it were a second world. These worlds live side by side in the light but never in the dark.