Warnambool visual artist Rachel Peters is bringing her work to the Backspace gallery in her Re Collection exhibition.
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The focus of her exhibition is reflection on water bodies south west of Victoria and she has used various materials, including paint and scavenged media, to create her perspective of the landscape.
“All these images are metaphors for the inner life. The practise of using old maps, wall paper, dress patterns and other remnants – embedding them in paint and then scratching or stitching the story of the water bodies becomes my narrative. A narrative where I can re-collect stories, memories and materials My narrative of place, journey, joy, pain and healing,” Ms Peters said.
Spending a lot of time around around the south west region, Ms Peters also cites living around Lake Bolac, the Hopkins River and Portland as inspiration for her work.
“It’s partly inspired by some of the waterways I’ve driven past, as well as healing walks, where we would camp and the local farmers would chat to us. The indigenous people would also tell us the local history.” Ms Peters said.
“I often think of the life about the water way or water body. Who has lived on its banks, who has reaped from its abundance or suffered when it has been polluted or dried up? What battles have been fought between communities of people over these bodies? Between water and natural forces? Between people, animals and these unique entities?”
One of her collections, Gathering Places, features Lake Wendouree, inspired by when it went dry.
“I have walked around lakes, along river beds, and into wetlands on country, with people who have had different relationships with the water. Indigenous people reconnecting with country and ancient history, farmers who’ve learnt respect over generations of agrarian practises, scientists who remain in awe of the knowledge they learn from the water patterns. And then there are souls like me, that just love to absorb the stories and ponder the water bodies afresh,” Ms Peters said.
Although Ms Peters has always been interested in art, it wasn’t until 15 years ago that she took it seriously, hosting her first exhibition in 2005.
John Owen, Fred Williams and John Wolseley are the artists she considers to have had the most impact on her work.
Re Collection: Stories of Water Bodies opens at the Backspace Gallery on July 27 until August 13.