Michael Pearce: Arboreal

A series of pastel and paper embossed drawings in praise of trees.

Artist Statement:
The Arboreal series of pastel and paper embossed drawings developed from my first visit to Wilson's Promontory in late 2019 where I was fascinated by the twisting, textures and creature like shapes of the windswept coastal tea trees. This grew to a focused visual interest and wonder in all trees.

Initial black and white drawings evolved to include colour, folding and embossing of the paper, emphasising the flow and movement of foliage and branches and giving a sense of dimension and depth. These elements and interests are influenced and continuing from my theatre and dance design practice with the added importance of lighting to give shadow and dimension.

All the drawings are based on and inspired by real trees, though I am mostly drawn to those with a particular and unusual character, spirit and shape or strong individual patterning of bark and trunks.

All the trees were discovered and observed on walks around Melbourne including the gardens behind the NGV, the Botanic Gardens, Royal Park and many local walks during COVID lockdowns. Later more distant walks included Sherbrooke Forest and East Warburton where I rekindled my love and fascination with tree ferns.

I prefer having sections of the original unmarked paper showing in the drawings and although the later drawings fill the entire sheet of paper with pastel markings there is always some rubbing back revealing the original paper and light surface below.

Images: Arboreal series, Michael Pearce, 2023, pastel on Velin Arches 300gsm paper

❊ When & Where ❊

Times: tues - fri: 12pm - 7pm. sat: 12pm - 4pm

❊ Venue ❊

fortyfivedownstairs View Venue
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Victoria 3000 Map

❊ Web Links ❊

→ Michael Pearce: Arboreal

→ fortyfivedownstairs.com

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