I have a handful of new etchings that I’ve been tinkering away on in the studio. These new pieces are reflective of our life in Brisbane, Australian plants, motherhood and fertility. Many of the compositions came to me during pregnancy and post birth. Naturally, vessels, plants and symbols of growth have become the catalyst for this new body of work.

My son Hugo is now 7 months old and time has flown by. It is so precious. Lately I’ve been working here and there in the studio, predominantly when he sleeps or when I’ve occasionally got a family member to help out. I can often feel guilty when I work because I feel like I need to be with him 1000% of the time. But then I realise I need this time to myself - even if it’s 5 minutes to draw or write something down or reflect on my day. These moments are what shape my work and help me be a better mum. Hugo is in my work - the people I love, the places I love, the memories I love are in my work - because my work is shaped by who I am and they are a part of that process.

Sometimes I see my mum in my art, or the stories she tells me about my family. I love those moments so much. Sometimes I just want to freeze time and have those conversations with her infinitely. I feel very shaped by my family, my childhood, by the food we would cook together and our Polish/Australian traditions. My memories from the past come through in motifs and the whimsical, naive style of my drawing. These burnt sepia and Sienna etchings are intentional with their nostalgic tones. I hope that this feeling of reminiscing comes through in the work.

These new etchings continue to have elements from memories and travel. I still adore Florence and love incorporating Italian adventures or European cityscapes. My husband Tim proposed to me in Florence in Michelangelo’s rose garden back in 2019. It is definitely a soft spot for me! I also have memories of catching the train down the coast of France, Spain and Portugal and seeing fields of sunflowers and other beautiful plants. Sunflowers from Vincent Van Gogh’s work has been a huge inspiration, even from childhood. I remember seeing his painting for the first time in Musee D’Orsay in Paris. It was life changing.

Other motifs in the work include pomegranates and bees that are historically symbols of fertility. Pomegranates are often associated with the Greek Goddess of love, Aphrodite. In Hinduism, there are references to bees when Vishnu created spring from one of his footprints. From the spring flowed mead, which bestowed fertility upon those who drank it. In Ancient Rome, they believed that Jupiter, who was their deity similarly to Greek Gods and Goddesses, was nourished by bees in infancy.

Along side these symbols, vessels have become an important part of motherhood and also symbolic of the home. Old, antique vases with ornate patterning are important to me as we had a number of them in our house growing up. I remember visiting the antique auction houses and collectable stores always curious about these beautiful pieces of art. Similarly to the pomegranate, the vase inherited the fruit’s auspicious meaning as a symbol of happiness and fertility.

As I find myself thinking about symbolism and history, I hope I’ve captured some of these thoughts in the work and that they translate to the audience. Etching itself is an old, traditional printmaking technique dating back to 15th century, Germany. I enjoy the harmony of a historical process making historical thoughts.