In 2016, with the support of the Maryland Institute College of Art Alfred and Trafford Klots International Program for Artists I spent two months living and working in Léhon, France, together with eight artists from around the world.

 

Léhon is a wonderful place. At its centre are the ruins of a Roman fort, and the studios are in the grounds of a 12th Century abbey with open cloisters and gardens. It was midsummer. Daylight stretched from six in the morning to ten at night, and the surrounding countryside was unbelievable lush. Just across the river the hills rose from the valley in a sheer wall of vegetation.

 

Travel has long been an essential part of my practice. While Australia is home I get most of my ideas overseas. In Léhon I drew every day, soaking up the unique environment. The vibrancy of the world around me demanded response. My partner the Korean artist friend Hyunju Kim suggested combining ink drawings with watercolour and pencil. This combination of media allowed me to capture the endless varieties of green as they changed week by week.

 

Since returning to Australia I have concentrated on producing a suite of etchings inspired by my time in France. My strongest memories are of the subtle and intricate architecture, the open skies, and the luxurious green of the surrounding vegetation. It has been an enormous pleasure in this way to revisit Brittany and France.

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Damon Kowarsky, 2018

www.damon.tk