For many people, art is a distant and unattainable concept. While working as a museum curator, I realised how the art world often remains an integral part of high society, far removed from most people’s everyday lives. I wanted to change that by giving art a prominent place in the daily lives of those around me. Thus, the ‘Postcards from Australia’ project was born. During my Working Holiday, I send postcards featuring watercolours and poems from Australia to Europe. By using art as a means of communication, I integrate it into the everyday.
I chose the banality of postcards because they are intimate and personal. Communication is inherent to postcards, making them automatic carriers of emotions and meaning, connecting people across time and distance.
The inspiration and themes for my artworks range from natural landscapes to challenges on the road and people I have met. My background as a historian often guides my choice of subjects. Most works revolve around connection: with the land, the past, different communities, colleagues, those left behind, family, or even connection to the metaphysical.
It has been years since I worked with watercolours, but this medium is currently the most practical due to its compactness. I start each card with light blue lines, which I fill in with colours and details. Some cards are finished with a black pen for finer details. Once the image is complete, I begin brainstorming words and phrases for the accompanying poem. I then write these, along with a personal message, on the card and send it off.
Sending postcards from the Australian Outback to Europe can sometimes take over a month. It feels like I am sending art through time, with the letterbox acting as a time machine. Sometimes, I hand-deliver the cards. The responses I received have been consistently heartwarming. I have received incredibly kind texts, phone calls, and even an artwork in response to my cards.
Ultimately, I hope to compile the cards and poems into a beautiful book, which I dream of presenting at an exhibition alongside photos and other art created during my journey.
The ‘Postcards from Australia’ project is a way to share my journey through Australia with my loved ones in a meaningful way. Through these cards, I hope to connect people: with Australia, with me, with art, and with each other. Your support can make this exhibition and book a reality. If you would like to help, you can buy me a coffee via this link. Thank you for reading, and I will keep you updated on my artistic adventure.
This is fantastic, I love the concept and that you are doing this. You’re right in that art and creativity doesn’t play a big enough role in our daily lives.
I very much have enjoyed seeing your artwork! What a lovely concept. Postcards very practical and also personal.