Connor Philip
Asquith Boys High School
A BACKWARDS GLANCE - CARAVANNING THROUGH COUNTRY
Painting
Acrylic on board, water-soluble marker on paper
Based on the many photographs of my family’s lengthy camping journeys across Australia, from my early childhood until our most recent trip in 2022, my body of work investigates places visited, with my family members as figures in the landscape. My intention was to represent experiences from our journeys as well as the sense of memory, as these experiences have been instrumental in my growth towards adulthood. I have had to develop real confidence with mark making, using a palette knife or soft brush and lots of water to convey, with a few strokes, textures and forms in the landscape.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Amanda Penrose Hart, Nicholas Harding, Euan Macleod, Anna Gray.
Marker's Commentary
The body of work, A backwards glance – Caravanning through Country showcases vivid, expressive mark-making that reflects personal experiences and memories, fostering a comforting sense of familiarity. Inspired by long camping trips across Australia and childhood moments with family, the series explores various landscapes and their significance in the candidate's journey to adulthood. The artist confidently employs a palette knife and soft brush to create textured rural scenes that highlight their natural beauty. Quick applications of acrylic paint and diverse techniques produce patterns that evoke the essence of Australia’s outback. Rich colours form layers and textures, intertwining figures with the landscapes and capturing the depth of these experiences. The inclusion of concertina books also recalls the journeys of many en plein air artists documenting the Australian landscape. While each artwork is distinct, together they form a cohesive series that resonates with both personal and shared memories of place and country.