Strata of Memory [Chillagoe core samples] 2013-2023
calico, jute fibres, earth, ash, geologic rubbings, acrylic, ink, graphite, archival papers
Dimensions variable
PAEA group show, Artview Gallery, 2023
Strata of Memory [Chillagoe core samples] 2013-2023
Four Meditations from The Temple [Gordonvale Skate Park]
Four Meditations from The Temple [Gordonvale Skate Park]2022digital prints on archival paperfor the 50x50 group show at Crate 59 with Regular RickThe skate-park - a palimpsest of tags and profanities, refurbished paint layers - peeling and scraped back, revealing ever-evolving histories/connections/departures. Skate-parks as places worthy of worship and pilgrimage, of belonging.
I find myself here so often, waiting, as a mother/carer/teacher/artist.
Mid-life: seeking a sense of the sacred in unsuspecting spaces.
Passage [the letting go...]
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage I, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage II, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage III, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage IV, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage V, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, PassageVI, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage VII, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage VIII, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage IX, 2016 |
'Some of us think holding on makes us strong,
but sometimes it is letting go…'
[Herman Hesse]
Passage [ the letting go …] is a narrative of nine large scale photographic images documenting the annual release of seeds from the pod of the Adenium obesum [Desert Rose].
In this series the boat-like forms of the Adenium obesum pod and the star-like structures of its seeds are exploited for their symbolic potential. The pods are removed from their literal environment to float amidst a limitless black space. In this context these forms become vessels of an allegorical journey and the seeds representative of that which [as is implied in the title] is surrendered, released…
The work is deliberately open to interpretation as to what the journey refers to and that which is being released, but the process is one not of violence, but of surrender, acceptance and transformation…
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage [The Letting Go], KickArts Contemporary Arts, Cairns, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Passage [The Letting Go], KickArts Contemporary Arts, Cairns, 2016 |
Passage [the letting go...] is on exhibition at KickArts Contemporary Arts until June 11, 2016.
The Art of [Domestic] Enlightenment
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Before and After Enlightenment II, 2016 |
‘before enlightenment chop wood, carry water
after enlightenment chop wood, carry water’
[zen proverb]
The Art of [Domestic] Enlightenment is an exploration of the spiritual potential present in even the most mundane of tasks. It is also an acknowledgement of the disconnect between this ideal and the daily struggle to engage with the spiritual and creative worlds within the realm of the domestic and motherhood.
In the decade before becoming a mother I was introduced to the teachings of Ajahn Chah and Thich Nhat Hanh. I found an affinity with Thich Nhat Hanh’s use of Gathas - short verses that assist in mindfulness and gratitude in everyday life. Yet even after living almost two decades with these teachings, I still find myself striving for magical quiet moments of space and clarity. Past memories of week-long retreats and countless art camps in aesthetically spectacular desert locations linger. My life at present offers altogether different opportunities for enlightenment; the daily rituals that take place within the realm of the domestic - in a small mill cottage that looks out to a much loved mountain.
The zen proverb ‘before enlightenment chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment chop wood, carry water’ speaks to me not only of bringing enlightenment back to the everyday but of finding enlightenment within the everyday.
These works explore both the struggle and the striving to appreciate the Art of [Domestic] Enlightenment.
 |
| Bek LARKIN, The Art of [Domestic] Enlightenment, 2016, The Flying Monkey, Cairns |
 |
| Bek LARKIN Lego Mandala, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Before and After Enlightenment II, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Stormtrooper Mandala, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, I Look to the Mountain I, 2016 |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Lawn Mandala, 2016 |
The Art of [Domestic] Enlightenment is at The Flying Monkey, Cairns from 21st March until 9th April.
@ trolley & the tanks ...
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Bundadjurruga, 2015, Sub 0, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Photography: Michael Marzik |
@ tanks
Opening TONIGHT, Friday 6th Nov, 6pm at Tanks Art Centre [Tank 4] is Sub-0 The Affordable Art Show.
Presented by Knock Knock Contemporary Artists' Initiative the exhibition features diverse artworks from around thirty Cairns based artists and should be a great night out and a great show. I have a series of seven new works featured in this exhibition [images and details below].
There is also an online catalogue where you can view/purchase artists works.
topographical trajectory
the wanderings of Sisyphus [from Kooyoora to Chooreechillum] 1993 – 2014
for Sub O
Tanks Arts Centre
Cairns
2015
the wanderings of Sisyphus [from Kooyoora to Chooreechillum] 1993 – 2014
for Sub O
Tanks Arts Centre
Cairns
2015
‘At the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.’
[T.S. Elliot]
Nautical maps are metaphors for navigation. Topography becomes a palimpsest of experiences both revealed by and imposed upon the landscape… meditations on [dis]location; the striving to find one’s way to ‘home’.
Simultaneously excavating and creating the strata of memory…
[Photographs of works by Michael Marzik]
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Topographical Trajectory, 2015, Sub 0, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Photography: Michael Marzik |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Ngamdjij, 2015, Sub 0, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Photography: Michael Marzik |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Mutawintji,2015, Sub 0, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Photography: Michael Marzik |
 |
| Bek LARKIN, Rwetyepme 2015, Sub 0, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Photography: Michael Marzik |
 |
Bek LARKIN, Kwartatuma, 2015, Sub 0, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Photography: Michael Marzik |
 |
Bek LARKIN, Wooroonooran, 2015, Sub 0, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Photography: Michael Marzik |
 |
Bek LARKIN, Chooreechillum, 2015, Sub 0, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Photography: Michael Marzik |
@ trolley
There's a new groove in the neighbourhood! A new space in Gordonvale - opening this Saturday 7th Nov 6.30am-1pm:
trolley studio [art + coffee]
Last week I sat sipping sweet peach iced tea, tapping away to They Might Be Giants and taking in the amazing creations of Kylie and Ian, surrounded by great art and awesome peeps... just meters from our local IGA [pinch - awesome - it is real!]
trolley studio opens [officially] this weekend - pop down on Saturday morning and treat yourself. While you are there you can check out the art on exhibition, including one of my recent pieces [see pic above].
trolley studio is on facebook click here to like their page and stay up to date with their opening hours, events and awesomeness ...
Earth and Ash
Bryce's Arcade, Norman Street, Gordonvale
Saturday 7th June 6-8pm
Diagenesis III
Diagenesis III [detail]
2012
rooibos and watercolour on paper
for SUB-150 a KNONK KNOCK CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS' INITIATIVE
at C.1907 - Lake Street - Cairns - as part of the Cairns Festival
21 August - 1 September 2012
Offical Opening by Ingrid Hoffman - 6pm Friday 24th August 2012
for more information on gallery hours see cairns events
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)