Personal Statement

I started painting internal images in 1997, which developed into an ongoing Mind Series.

MindGarden was shown in the 1999 Castlemaine State Festival along with related poems, which are now an integral part of my shows. The myriad responses to these words and pictures from many people visiting that exhibition, were illuminating in my journey towards self-knowledge.

Mindscape held during the 2001 CSF, MindCrevice in 2003, MindOpening in 2005, MindLine and MindChips in 2007 are continuing manifestations of the impact of internal images on my psyche. As I expand my journey into this inner world, wonder interweaves with surprise, excitement and fear.

The directions of my work continue to shift and expand with surreal elements continuing to surface.

In the 2009 exhibition entitled Extinction—Renewal explored my feelings as I lived through our ten year drought and my concerns about the effects that climate change has on our environment.

In this 2011 show entitled There is only this moment which reflects my sensing of the changes in my brain since I was told in 2006 that I have the beginnings of Vascular Dementia.

Afraid

Seeing how my mind flutters around this word
My recent experience of being really afraid after my balance went and my blood pressure became erratic
This is deep fear
Still with me at my mind’s edges

Seeing the light side of fear in the beauty of a full moon sliding down the sky
Being in the Dimantina where I experienced Min Min lights
Seeing these different experiences of fear
Touched with awe

As all concepts only exist in my mind
Is being afraid anything more than “not knowing”?

Castlemaine,
4th March — 29th May 2008
Cherry Tennant ©