This October through to November marks my time as Artist in Residence at Regional Victoria's Lon Retreat. During this time, I planned to work remotely, exploring Lon's 200 acres of rural and conservation land, creating work in response to my immersion in this magical environment.

Instead, I conjured feelings of retreat, escapism and wandering from my home studio in Black Rock. Through what became a Virtual Residency, I explored notions of flight and dreaming through the imagery of sea birds diving, I considered the natural pull between the moon and the sea through the layering of tone and texture, and I created bridges and pathways that stretch out across the ocean like piers leading into the unknown. Focusing on the reverie and inspiration, we seek outside of ourselves. Ready, at any given moment, to flee our boundaries after spending months in lockdowns.

Incantation is a ten-piece body of work that dissects the balance of escapism, whether real or conjured. This residency is guided by the alluring charm of longing to be elsewhere.