CADENCE

Saint Cloche Gallery reveals Ingrid Bowen’s most recent, dulcet body of work, where the gaze returns toward the horizon of the Central and Southern Tablelands and broad-sweeping vistas of the Riverina, New South Wales.

Ingrid consciously blends representation with moments of abstraction, evoking a mesmerising feeling for place by joining forces with the ebb and flow of watercolour and ink.

Although life appears chaotic and random, under closer scrutiny, a flow or rhythm of events emerges, especially the pattern in which something is experienced. A melodic or harmonic configuration that creates a sense of resolution – a rhythmic sequence or flow, like breathing.

“In looking for rhythms in landforms and patterns in nature, I found myself tuning in to repeating forms emerging in, not only the landfall and tree lines, but also in daily activities, elements of nature around me, and other creative arts like music and poetry.

‘I became focused on the recurring patterns of daily existence, in the new pared-back and constrained lifestyle, imposed by the challenges intruding upon 2020. Examining the rise and fall of the land, listening to footfall on long walks, the welcome drumming of rain on the roof, and classical music to sharpen up, the ideals of rhythm and harmony.’

‘While structuring these works, I looked to the landscape to seek calm, hoping for everything to fall into place following recent chaos and upheaval. I paint harmonious visual composition in order to achieve ‘cadence’ and find resolution and respite – much like a complete and fulfilling conclusion to a musical score. Perhaps it was simply a desire to return to the comfort of the familiar and ordered, as everything else seemed so out of control.

The landscapes I’ve created for this series feature overlapping diagonals in undulating hills and valleys, punctuated with tree lines and bushland. Country falling away toward watercourses. Mountain ranges that ripple toward the horizon. I can always count on the restorative sense of peace and calm in front of an expansive natural vista.”

Working in traditional watercolour and contemporary mixed-media techniques, Ingrid’s practice explores intrinsic responses to landscape. Her narrative examines innate connection to terrain and storyline, largely informed by responses to her own surroundings and personal history.

Based in Northern Sydney, surrounding bushland compels its force into Ingrid’s studio. Painting en plein air brings freshness and immediacy to her work, characterised by a light touch and fluidity of form that is finished with careful and astute details. Using a quintessentially Australian palette, of eucalyptus, grey/blue indigo, olive greens, sunburnt grey/sepia and copper highlights – her forms create ambiguous landscapes and fragmented perspectives. The meditative rhythms of her compositions are played out in detail, drawn in and out of focus from observation and recollection.

Ingrid’s painting career was launched at Saint Cloche by winning the inaugural Little Things Art Prize in 2015. Since then she has developed a committed and vigorous art practice, with a solid exhibition schedule, as well as facilitating collaborative community arts projects with a focus on engaging with the Australian landscape. Her work has been selected for art prizes across Australia and privately commissioned installations.