‘My latest collection focusing on Australian culture and love within The Outback’.

As I have an impressive amount of friends that are in nursing careers, I noticed there were a great amount of stories from their residents or peers that would be shared with me. Stories of forbidden love and family secrets, a continuous pattern always ending with thoughts of ‘what if?’ Or the family bombshells tearing them apart and resulting in running away from home and losing contact. With each one of my friend’s stories of love and heartbreak, it affected me in some way. Shaping me to capture each tale (factual or not) over several years. Unsure of how to use these stories in my work- I saved them all in the back of my mind.

Then, influenced by Australian folk art and culture I begun searching for recorded love stories from Australian history. Encouraged by the residents stories, I kept an eye out for anything that I took of interest or melted my heart. After research I came across a various amount of real stories held in galleries and museums across Australia. Some of which including Love Letters of Ronald Henry Etherton and Jean Ayre, the pair of sweethearts showcasing a long distance relationship beginning in 1940. The letters were used to keep in touch after Ronald was posted for war. Their affection can be shown from the exchange of letters and even the lipstick kisses still visible today.

Another similar discovery was the collection of letters found detailing the story of real life lovers, dating back to 1887 and continuing till 1892. The letters show the love between Henrietta Nielsa and future husband John McManamey, with over 100 letters, the pairs life is explained in deep emotion and gorgeous handwriting.

As well as the true events recorded from my hometown, Broken Hill. An almost, ‘Aussie- Romeo and Juliet’ story of Janet and Bobby Shamroze. In an interview with ‘Take5’ the couple share a story of two 15 year olds who fell madly in love. Although after rekindling at 17, Janets father disapproved of the relationship which led to them fleeing from Naracoorte, SA to Broken Hill, NSW. A phone call between the lovers is also mentioned.
“Janet: “We have to run away”.
Bobby: “I’ll do whatever you want me to do”.”
Leaving her family behind to be together forever, Janet secretly kept in touch with her mother by giving letters to the boy who lived next door, who would then pass them onto her. Later on, reuniting with her father after receiving an emotional and important letter that detailed his forgiveness and an invitation to return home with Bobby and the kids.

With the stories mentioned as well as others I obtained, the choice to recreate them and feature on the backs of each canvas invents an interactive experience for the audience. Each as if they are unveiling a lost love letter and discovering the stories of past lovers themselves. The paintings almost capture a moment in time with imagery related to the Australian lifestyle along with signs and symbols representing a feeling of finding love within the isolation of the outback. Set in an earthy tone and partnered with bubblegum pastels, these works become a whimsy escape for the soul.

Overall, this concept makes influential contributions towards the creation of my outback lore with ‘Australiana’ ideas that are translated through each painting. Depicting traditional and contemporary images of Australian landscapes and cultural symbolism. Showcasing the love and beauty of our country even through ‘Love Letters from The Outback’.