Courtesy: the artist and Tacit Art, Melbourne.

Living on the Victorian coast south of Geelong, Shirley Ploog finds her coastal wonderland as a spiritual space providing a sense of connection. It is the place to find peace and solace, to give voice to the landscape through daily walking rituals. The roar of the ocean, the smell of the Moonah trees, the twitter of birds, the trickling of water in the rock pools, all nurture the soul and feed Ploog’s creative spirit.

Using mental images collected in a personal ‘image library’ through observation, experience, immersion and then memory, Ploog creates an emotional connection in her painting. Colours, textures, patterns and nature’s minutiae all have their part to play within the quiet landscapes.

Visual language in oil paint is explored, transferring her renowned drawing techniques to the canvas. Thin layers of oil in combination with solvents assist in creating a translucent matrix of natural elements evoking a sense of fragility and gentle delicacy. It’s a transition between focussed detail and blurred ambiguity. There is a calm energy to the work, the essence of nature creating a quiet conversation. The deft mark-making reveals subtle nuances within the artist’s world. Subtle details with a monochromatic palette demonstrate a love and sensitive appreciation of the local landscape.

Opening Event: Wednesday 10 May.

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