Looking-into-Leichhardt_catalogue_Oct2013_Gannon+friends

SARAH LARSEN

www.sarahlarsen.com.au

Sandstone Sentinels multi media on canvas 171 x 101 cm 2013

I was thrilled to be invited to participate in this project and follow the footsteps of this intrepid explorer. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity and I have thoroughly enjoyed experiencing places new to me as well as familiar country. Listening to great yarns and meeting new friends, I found myself absorbed by this epic narrative and slid quietly into the soul of this land and the journey. The courage, tenacity and resourcefulness displayed captivated my imagination. How they managed so well with limited resources inspired me and I wondered, would I have fared so well? My desire in the artwork is to capture the beauty of this rugged yet fragile land and reflect my response to that beauty, Leichhardt's story and feelings alluded to in the journals. I found myself imagining what it would have been like then in comparison to what I see and feel in front of me now. This comparison of what is here now and what was there then, as well as expressing the innate beauty and timelessness of the setting is my reflection on this journey. I am richer for the experience and invite you to enjoy.

Leichhardt's 1844-45 route Section covered by Sarah

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