Art on the edge

BY JO-ANNE HUI
After living in isolation for a month in a small metal hut in desert country around Fowler’s Gap, Bronte artist Gabrielle Courtenay created her latest exhibition Edge, opening on May 15 at Charles Hewitt Gallery.

The selection of 19 hauntingly beautiful paintings and drawings is the culmination of Courtenay’s work during her residency as part of the 2006 Illiri Artist Scholar Program.

The isolation of the desert influenced Courtenay’s art and her views about climate change. The batteries in her CD player had run down and her satellite phone wasn’t working. The air was hot and dry, with strong gusts of wind and dust blowing everywhere. Her days were filled with drawing, walking, yoga, sleep and reading.

But she loved her “lovely metal cottage” with its closed balcony overlooking the gorge, and the regular visits from giant kangaroos and emus. The local flora, such as the little saltbushes she took into her studio to sketch, was also very inspiring.

“It was an important experience, incredibly special ‘ quite overwhelming in a way,” she said. “I felt very privileged to be there and to be so in touch with the land and feel the energy of that place.”

That energy is reflected in her works, allowing the part-time architect to preserve her unique experience. But the life of an artist has its share of challenges.

“Every time you paint an artwork, it’s as though you’ve never painted before,’ Courtenay said.

‘And it’s always a struggle finding the time you need to spend alone to create the work. I don’t think it’s an easy path. It’s incredibly fulfilling and I passionately love it but sometimes you wonder whether one is insane, wanting to make art.”

Edge is exhibiting at the Charles Hewitt Gallery, 355 South Dowling Street, Darlinghurst.