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Elynor Smithwick’s Covered Ground is a personal exploration of memory, transition, and the passage of time. Her approach to painting is a meditative act of layering and erasing, where past works serve as both a foundation and a departure point for new compositions. Inspired by the transitory nature of existence, and her recent move from a regional setting to the city, Covered Ground evokes the notion of moving through space and time, physically and metaphorically. It speaks to the cycles of ending and beginning, the ways in which past experiences shape and inform the present, and the completion of one phase before embarking on another. The act of covering ground—both in terms of physical space and artistic practice—reflects the process of settling into a new environment and embodies the push-pull between familiar and unfamiliar, capturing the overwhelming feeling of hitting the ground running. However, the artist has been able to find solace in the small, quiet moments of daily life, such as driving to and from her studio. These fleeting instances, often marked by vibrant sunsets and the shifting light of the sky, provide an intimate sense of connection to the world around her. In these moments, Smithwick taps into the atmosphere of the mundane, revealing the inherent beauty in transient occurrences.Central to Smithwick’s artistic practice is her technique of layering. Her paintings are not static; they evolve, shift, and transform over time. The process of “covering” her canvases with new layers of paint is a vital part of this evolution. If a painting is not speaking to her in the moment, she will often cover it with a fresh layer of white paint—an act that creates space for new potential. Underneath the new layer, traces of the past remain visible, offering glimpses of the history embedded within the canvas. This process mirrors the passage of time and the human experience of memory—where memories, though faded, are never entirely erased. In her larger paintings, Smithwick uses translucent washes of oil paint to build depth and complexity, creating compositions that feel wistful and dreamlike. In contrast, the smaller, more intimate 6 x 8-inch works on aluminium panels capture a different quality altogether. These pieces are free from multiple layers which allows the light to play directly off the surface, drawing attention to the materiality of the painting itself. In these smaller works, Smithwick finds control and precision, choosing to leave space for the metallic surface to shine through, a literal and figurative play on the concept of light.Smithwick’s material choices play an integral role in the emotional and sensory impact of her work. Most of her paintings are created on stretched linen, where the oil paint, with its ability to be manipulated and layered, allows the artist to build a nuanced sense of depth and ambience. The small aluminium panel works are particularly noteworthy. The choice of aluminium, with its reflective quality, adds an interactive dimension to the paintings. As the light shifts, so do the paintings themselves, offering a dynamic and intimate viewing experience. Smithwick’s technique of layering paint over previous works offers a tactile quality to her canvases. The rough, textured surfaces—sometimes scratched, sometimes softly brushed—suggest the ground beneath our feet. The act of layering and erasure is an ongoing dialogue between the past and the present, a way of creating something new while holding space for what came before.Elynor Smithwick’s Covered Ground offers a series of figures, moments, and landscapes gently captured in time, subtly depicting movement or contemplation, not too dissimilar from that of a film still. Her collection of paintings reflects on the passage of time, the complexities of transition, and the beauty of impermanence. Through her layered, textured vignettes, Smithwick invites the viewer to consider the ways in which we move through life—constantly shifting, evolving, and carrying with us the remnants of what has come before. Her work reflects this ongoing process; a meditation on the memory of place and the quiet beauty found in transition. With each layer of paint, she creates a space for reflection and growth—reminding us that in the act of covering ground, we find new beginnings.Words by Nanette OrlyPhotographed by Astrid Mulder
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More from Elynor Smithwick
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Elynor Smithwick | Exploring Impermanence and Light in Contemporary Painting
Otomys and Elynor Smithwick discuss her upcoming exhibition Covered Ground, where she explores themes of impermanence, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Through techniques of erasure and layering, Smithwick creates... -
Meet Elynor Smithwick
August 24, 2020Born in Albury NSW, Elynor Smithwick is an Australian painter living and working in Melbourne VIC. Elynor completed her Undergraduate and Honours Degree in Fine Arts at Victorian College of... -
In Conversation with Elynor Smithwick
In the lead up to Elynor Smithwick and Kathryn Dolby 's duo-show Moving, Still, the Otomys team sat down with Elynor to discuss the ideas behind this collaborative exhibition. OTOMYS:...
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Covered Ground: Elynor Smithwick
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