Olivia O'Connor, Ripple (ART, OBJECTS 2022)

Photos:

Olivia O'Connor

For this wall hanging I was trying to create something fluid, I wanted to show movement through the timber and I was inspired by water as it ripples over a shallow creek bed. I carefully choose this local south Gippsland Blackwood (that fell in a storm) for it's depth and variety of colour and the movement that the grain had already shown - especially the golden tones that shimmer and catch the light so perfectly. I bookmatched 2 pieces and for extra stability I laminated them to a thin piece of plywood, set into the back with a shadow line so it's never seen. I and carved, rasped and sanded (and sanded some more!) until it was silky smooth. A generous coat of oil has helped to make the colours sing! This piece is made to be watched, to see how it moves and shimmers as the light changes or as you walk past it. Each dimple catches light and shadow in a different way from different angles, just like watching water ripple in a creek bed it is always changing and shimmering. 263 mm diameter Blackwood, Plywood, Oil

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