Karlee Rawkins poignant imagery of wildlife and flora examines the symbolic and totemic meanings nature holds within the human psyche. Laden with symbolism, spirituality and imagination, Rawkins achieves just that as she weaves colour, line and pattern with her interpretation of what lies within her personal sphere. Heavily inspired by Indian Hindu tales and motives, she presents to us in her latest show, ‘Never Never River’ an insight into her thoughts of sacredness and ritual.
Building upon painted layers of patterning, scribbling, line and colour, compositions arise within an intuitive act of mark making. Patterns derived from plants and flowers have been used in Indian design for centuries, with noted Buddhist and Hindu sites dating back to the third century BC. It is drawing from her surrounds and by mimicking the patterning to which she is exposed, Rawkins is enabled to construct her own unique dreamt oasis.
Flinders Lane Gallery
24 February to 14 March, 2015
Melbourne
Big Wizard, 2014 acrylic and charcoal on canvas 121 x 137cm
Courtesy the artist and Flinders Lane Gallery, Melbourne
