The Sepia Island - Dave Sparkes

The Sepia Island by NSW artist Dave Sparkes - Finalist in the 2024 Heysen Prize for Landscape.

For me, atmosphere, light, feeling and mood are more important than actual subject. I try to evoke a sense of whimsical, almost melancholy realism, an alternate or parallel world suggesting a time before man’s interference with the landscape. Utilising a restrained, monochromatic palette helps to facilitate this idea, creating an archival, “old black and white photograph” feeling that evokes a sense of the distant past. As an accomplished daydreamer, I often paint places as they once were, just humming along in their heartbreakingly pristine state. Paradoxically, I still hope to give the viewer a sense of actually being in the scene at the time, and a sensation of tangible physical presence despite them possibly never having been to the location.

Materials: Watercolour on paper
Dimensions (cm): 74 H x 54 W

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