Lily Lethbridge
Coffs Harbour Senior College
LA MER
Collection of Work
Painting, collage, drawing, mixed media
As I transition from child into fledgling adult I am challenged by an overwhelming sense of the unknown. Informed by my physical environment as well as my inner landscape, my body of work represents my experience as a growing human being, expressing my thoughts and emotions in a tangible form. Fascinated by folklore and tradition, my work explores culture and belief through my personal lens of symbology and visual storytelling. I leave meaning open for individual interpretation. My work invites a contemplation of what it is to be human and recognises the beauty that can be found all around us.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Brett Whiteley, Gustav Klimt.
Marker's Commentary
The body of work title La Mer, “The Sea” in French, provides a clue to the reading of this diverse range of forms and images. Currents of imagery run through this eclectic assortment of media choices but resonate wholistically, not just as a feminine journey from girl to woman, but also to artist. The submission is engaging, with diverse illustrative, artmaking practices and the search for their own artistic expression is evident. Grounded deeply in the student's personal response to their everyday, whimsical world, the images depict fluid and distorted female forms amongst the detritus of everyday life from a psychological vantage point. Objects and forms are rendered surreal within distorted interiors and landscapes but with that resonance of the interests of youth. The diversity of media show confident and strong technical resolution and in their combination tells the story of growth in confidence, both as an artist and a young woman. Layered and nuanced inferences to Brett Whiteley appear and folk art is evident, with strong colour choices that combine to ensure a cohesive and personal body of work. This is a great example of the value of collection of works as an expressive form, supporting the exploration of self.