Several years ago, a close friend asked me, “Do you like having your fingers in all the pies?” This question prompted me to ponder why I immersed myself in various artistic endeavours. At the time, my immediate response was a firm “no.” The question left me feeling uneasy, wondering whether I resembled an insatiable child craving everything. I preferred to believe that my multifaceted approach to art reflected my creative drive and desire to be innovative and grow artistically.

The above question came from someone I deeply respect and love. The inquiry arose after I discussed the dilemmas and challenges I create for myself as a multidisciplinary artist. I often revisit this question and believe the truth lies in a combination of both aspects. I am inherently curious, constantly testing my creative versatility, and the desire to explore various weird and wonderful techniques using unconventional methods to create art is simply too strong for me to resist.

My recent body of work began in April 2022 during a trip to France, where I explored different artistic mediums to depict a wide range of themes. Throughout this creative journey, I immersed myself in the visually rich urban and country landscapes, taking daily walks that exposed me to a myriad of captivating sights and experiences.

France was a treasure trove of inspiration, teeming with historical gems such as neoclassical statues, ancient theatre masks, charming bridges, elegant church steeples, an abundance of pigeons and architectural marvels. After I returned, I continued my assorted approach, engaging with a diverse array of themes and various artistic techniques to create artworks from Bundanon and The Foundations at Portland in New South Wales. On these locations, I was captivated by Australia’s native wildlife, particularly birds. Their melodious songs and calls stir up my desire to seek them out, observe, and draw them. In Portland, I had the pleasure of watching kangaroos and I was particularly fascinated by the way they’d twitch their heads to stay alert and aware of their surroundings. My artistic obsession even led me to collect discarded kangaroo bones, which I fashioned into drawing instruments to use for creating the Profile in the Mob series in this collection.

My love for architecture extends to all forms, including the historic buildings in Portland; especially the monumental Powerhouse, which spoke to me throughout my stay there. Its massive size, history and the marks of time etched into it, along with the grandeur of its window structure, all left an indelible impression that I felt compelled to translate into artworks.

This collection reflects my unwavering dedication to realizing my artistic vision without the constraints of applying a single way of working.

Jody Graham
November 2023