New Curator: Introducing Saira Ellen K Spencer. We’re super delighted to be supporting Emerging Curator, Saira Ellen K Spencer, through an exhibition development mentorship over the next 7 months. Saira is currently creating a Curatorial Brief for a show in early 2023, called ‘Lovely Creatures’.
For more info about the mentorship and exhibition visit our Project Page.
ABOUT SAIRA
Saira Ellen K Spencer is a contemporary surrealist artist based in Denmark, Western Australia.
She says:
“I work out of my shipping-container studio amongst Karri-forested wetlands, on an 18-acre semi-self-sufficient property I share with my partner, Michael.
Through what I make, I have the lofty goal of wanting to provoke empathy and advocacy for our natural environment through drawing visual parallels between natural phenomena, and the phenomena of human experience. I want to show that we have common ground with what grows from the ground.
In addition, I am principally concerned with creating narrative around impermanence, movement, force, flow and the visceral. I am specifically fascinated by the growth/decay cycles of plants, ecosystems and waterways in Australia’s natural environment.
Working primarily in acrylics, graphite and charcoal; water-manipulated textural effects are a signature feature of my work. I use fleshy pinks generously; alongside colours, textures and shadows that signal seasonal changes of my local forests.
You will often find drying canvases outside of my studio, left out so that a light rain can contribute to the painting.
I am currently expanding my focus onto found, recycled and eco-conscious materials.
https://www.sairaellenkspencer.com/about
Feature Artist: Miranda Free