Ryan lights her own fire…
Leonie Ryan is a Victorian Artist with a passion for getting things done. Possibly her biggest project to date is the Fields of View traveling exhibition, coordinating five Visual Artists to explore a range of environmental issues and tie in with the environmental expressionism theme.
Lets chat to her and find out more..
How did this exhibition come about?
After touring an art exhibition with Warragul artist group ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’ throughout Victoria including exhibiting in China for two weeks, I had a deep desire to tour an art exhibition through Regional Victoria.
I approached the ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’ artist group first, though most of the artists focus was back on their solo careers. I commenced the Fields of View project in August 2008 with artists Kerrie Warren and Eileen Harrison both from ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’. Our artwork was uniquely different from each other, though connected through our passion for nature and energy within life. I felt the small trio group required an extra artist and thought it would be interesting to continue with the feminie energy flow. I invited Ursula Theinert who was very pleased to be involved.
Like all projects Fields of View also has had its ups and downs. Unfortunately Eileen Harrison had enduring commitments and realised she could not totally commit to the Fields of View project at the time, therefore withdrawing from the project.
After some months of considering possible artists to invite into the project, the decision was made to invite artists Peter Biram and Werner Theinert on board. Both Werner and Peter’s works explore similar themes as Ursula, Kerrie and I.
All five artists involved in the Fields of View exhibition vary in medium, style and visual language, creating a diverse exhibition together with environmental unison and aspiration. This is the basis of how Fields of View touring exhibition was born.
Why a travelling show?
The purpose of a travelling exhibition to regional galleries is to reveal individual stories through the visual language creating a connection between place, time and people, throughout far reaching regions of Victoria and possibly beyond.
Tell us about organising the show, the challenges, the inspiration, getting galleries on board etc?
To organise an exhibition to tour Regional Art Galleries throughout Victoria is an interesting ambition. What compels me is my ambition and enthusiasm for my art practice, also my awareness and privilege of being a woman in the Western World in the twenty first century.
My inspiration is my love of life, living without regret, and the idea of when I’m 90 years old sitting in a rocking chair; I can say to myself “Yes! I really have lived a fulfilled life”.
My role in Fields of View is both as an Artist and Co-ordinator. Co-ordinating involves making many decisions, writing and re writing of exhibition proposals, gallery formalities, schedules, various associations, negotiations, budgets, emails, telephone calls and ensuring the artists are content.
In all honesty, a juggling act but also very satisfying. My philosophy is make a good plan, follow it through by then placing one foot in front of the other and then seeing what happens next.
Tell us about the works you have created for exhibition.
I am an installation artist which means I utilise whatever medium most appropriate for the design of my concept. My concepts mainly relate to the natural environment with themes exploring metaphysical, philosophical and universal connection.
For my Fields of View installation Organic Mechanism 102 I have made large cubistic blocks from recycled polyurethane and covered them with contoured and patterned wall paper. The surface is finished with terracotta coloured paint.
The large cubes represent geometric shape and form much like a cityscape with reference of man’s influence of construction within the environment. Juxtaposing the large cubes is the surface texture of contours and earthly colour.
Five abstract stainless steel mirror finished sculptures represent the natural environment in the form of symbols; Man in a key- earths guardian; Frog- the waterways; Triple energy spiral- universal connection; Mother Nature- spirit and energy of the natural environment; and Tree- the lungs of our planet.
Housed inside the centre of the cubistic installation is a video reviewing the 2009 bush fires which generates a foreboding and eerie sensation.
Mother Nature Leonie Ryan 2009
Stainless steel
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