Woman at Honeysuckle

Artist Statement

This work is part of a suite of 5 linocuts called Revealing Unusual Beauty unveiled on the 18th November 2007 at Newcastle region Gallery. The work was commissioned by Chris and Helen Ford and donated to the City of Newcastle to celebrate the Gallery’s 50th anniversary. I wanted the linocuts to reflect Newcastle’s unique history and evolution, which rests in a tradition of heavy industry. Now it is a city committed to innovation, new business and the arts. Newcastle is a progressive city constantly being reshaped rather than made over in the image of others. In WAH I have included a female figure as the personification of Newcastle, she features certain Newcastle landmarks and symbols, like Nobbys, obelisk earrings, local flowers, coal loader, and decorative element from Newcastle Ocean baths. The Honeysuckle railway workshop now the museum is in the background as is part of the structure which represent the location of the convict lumber yards. The two wallabies are her familiars and act as her guardians.