Unico Zelo thank you for the delicious 'Lemon Spritz' and wine tasting at the opening event!
ARTIST STATEMENT
Why Lemons?
I discovered drawing lemons is like drawing the figure, same gestural sweeping lines, unexpected lumps n bumps, form and every lemon off a tree home grown is different. In combination with drawing and painting lemons in watercolour in the studio residency over two months offered to me at Gemini Winebar I also started walking the neighbourhood of Coburg plotting out where people had lemon trees in their front yards, the wandering opened up a wonderment of noticing the little things around Coburg, there are so many olive trees, fig trees and all sorts of wonderment plants. I love the sharing aspect of lemon tree, in the street I live in I think my neighbour has the biggest lemon tree in Coburg, it’s a privilege to me invited in for a coffee and the offer of a few lemons.
Also as a designer of diagrams, infographics and illustrations for predominate leadership/organisational consultants over the years, a unique original visual metaphor for presentations and workshop is a strength. Love a good metaphor ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’….as a quiet sensitive creative child to quiet acting out young woman to mother and now more confident explore of connecting more as myself with others this life line so far has brought me in contact with interesting people who have pushed me in all unbalanced directions but have also taught lessons about myself. I love drawing people, it some how normalises everything for me and gives me a place a purpose.
A big thank you to Jesse Corcoran Photography for the fabulous photos! I thought I took a pretty good picture on my iPhone, but seeing professional photos of my work in this space truly captures how it looked to me.
Another huge thank you to Gemini Winebar Melbourne for hosting me in their studio space for a two-month residency. Having the opportunity to create work in this environment deeply influenced my process—the beautiful light and uplifting atmosphere were all there for me. Lemons became a wonderful visual motif, connecting to the love of food, wine, and festivities. It truly is a happy place.
