Nancy Whittaker, Tarrangower Times
My first encounter with Carolyn Vickers was in the MANet Arts Focus Gallery a few months ago when we played ‘duelling camera phones’. I thought I was quick, but she was quicker. Carolyn is the next featured artist in the aforesaid gallery from 18 January to the 29 February, It’s a Leap Year! Her exhibition opening is on Friday 26 January, at 5pm.
Carolyn said that her works are her visual notes. “The animals that share our lives, fish and the amazing variety of birds I see changing shifts throughout the day all inform my work. The big sky here and unique landscape also inspire and motivate me to create.”
Just looking though her large front windows gives her endless inspiration, particularly the variety of birds she sees. Carolyn said they see more birds here in Maldon than they did in their previous home in Millgrove. The Lily Pond is full of fish and rowdy frogs.
Carolyn said, “I enjoy working in a variety of mediums as each elicits a different response. Printmaking is my main area of interest”. Her printmaking is greatly enhanced by her highly desirable handmade printing press constructed by Fitzroy Etching Presses (pictured).
From an artistic family, Carolyn did her formal training at Prahran College, gaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts, following a foundation year, where she majored in printmaking.
Carolyn grew up on a farm in Central Victoria among a family of creatives. There was lots of drawing of animals, people and nature which are still her favourite subjects. She enjoys working in different mediums but chose printmaking when doing her Bachelor of Fine Art at Prahran College in the 1980s. Since then, she has exhibited paintings, drawings, and photography, but during the last five years or so, she has returned to printmaking, specifically lino printing and, more recently, monotypes.
When you see her printing press, you can understand why!
Carolyn said, “I love the bold graphic nature of lino printing that lends itself to so many applications. I enjoy every aspect of the process, from pondering ideas, sketching, and then transferring those ideas to lino. I love carving with tools that have been around for a long time and the mindfulness that comes with the practice. I also enjoy finding solutions to challenges that arise. There is a magic that comes with a print that you are never fully aware of until the final stage of printing, when you reveal your idea and the lino reveals its own. I like the surprise element that makes a piece feel more like a collaboration.
“I am also enjoying making monotypes as they are more immediate and spontaneous. Both processes seem to suit my method of working back to front.”
Since moving back to Central Victoria, Carolyn said that she is rediscovering the landscape, wildlife and history of this beautiful region and loves collaborating with the artists she has met here.
Her work is highly desirable and skilful.
Carolyn has exhibited extensively throughout Victoria, and most recently with the MANet Pop Up Gallery, before the MANet Arts Focus Gallery was developed in 2023.
For Further information: www.wongapress.com.au.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 26 January 2024.
