Gemma McCann
Wenona School
SUMMER'S ANTHEM
Collection of Work
Oil on canvas, pencil on paper
My body of work examines the cyclical nature of summer through its familiar sights - cicadas, trees and waves - with the intention of demonstrating its continuity and resonance. The drawing of a cicada references the precision of scientific illustration, accentuating intricate form in an isolated subject. The two paintings represent expansive skies, shifting light and the dynamic movement of waves and foliage. Together, the cicada's cadence, the roaring crash of waves and the gentle rustle of leaves make 'summer's anthem'.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Nicholas Harding, David McKay, Eva Nolan, Cornelia Hesse-Honegger, Tom Roberts, Eugene von Guérard, Ray Collins, Virginia Kamhi, Bozhena Fuchs, Maria Sibylla Merian, John Abbot, Mesa Schumacher.
Marker's Commentary
Summer’s Anthem depicts iconic Australian images. The eucalyptus tree, the surging sea on a rocky platform and the humble cicada have all been immortalised through exquisite rendering and impactful viewpoints. The power, grandeur and elevation of these identifiable images through photographic realism is an acknowledgement of the awe and wonder to be found in these depictions of the natural world.
The images invite the audience to partake in a moment in time, holding them with the remarkable detail and expert handling of materials. Each snapshot is lifted and connected by our actual experience of a summer day. The sticky heat, the refreshingly cool water and salt spray and the sometime deafening drone of the cicada are experienced viscerally by our engagement with each work. The associated smells tap into our memories further enhancing our engagement with this body of work.
The submission displays a mastery of paint and pencil. Texture and tone are varied and layered generating a richness within the intense realism, framed in the completed representations. These works clearly harness the colours of the Australian vernacular paying homage to the Australian Impressionists who were the first to capture the particularly brilliant light and colour of this land.