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.

My 2009 Exhibition entitled Extinction—Renewal explore my feelings as I live through our current ten year drought and my concerns about the effects that climate change are having on our environment



Near Renmark a fellow ploughs earth into the sky
On the Gibb River Road a tour guide careens his 4WD through virgin bush
Snapping saplings in his headlong rush
Rush to where?

No rain
Weeks of hot sun
More plants die
Colour sucked out of the land

Finally it rains
On hillsides
Rain torrents
Washes soil, silt, stones, gravel onto roads blocking stormwater drains

In January 2006 Halls Gap and large areas of Gariwerd were ravaged by fire
In October 2007 young shoots of green/red/gold Eucalypts carpet Mt. William
Regeneration
Castlemaine,
4th March — 29th May 2008
Cherry Tennant ©

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