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Drawing inspiration for her recent works from her observations of the decaying organic matter on the rainforest floor, Dodd combines the rigid order of Japanese art with a random sense of freedom.
'When you start to look microscopically at nature in the rainforest, you begin to see all the patterns, with the foliage coming away and breaking up, followed by rebirth.'
With these faded out patterns of nature in mind, Dodd began to experiment using the discharge process, a very broad process in textiles which means to take out or remove dye or colour by using bleach or other chemicals.
Although the process with watercolour paper is similar, different chemicals need to be used.
By lifting off the watercolour, Dodd's work is left with a negative impression of the images.
She said as the process developed she started putting the work into more of a grid pattern, inspired by her informal study of Japanese ki meditation.
Using the discharge process with sumi-e style brushwork, Dodd painted Japanese symbols and ideograms, resulting in an aquatint etched appearance.
Her earlier training was in textile and design which, she said, influenced the current work.
She recently mounted a solo exhibition at Woodbyne Gallery, Jaspers Brush. A total of 72 works were hung ranging from small to large. The exhibition, 'nature/zen/graphic' was Dodd's first solo exhibition and resulted from an approach by the Woodbyne principals after seeing her work. This showing was hugely successful with most works being sold, some to overseas interests.
The smaller works in the showing were of mixed media featuring collages of Dodd's pen and ink work, evoking a zen sense of order and peace.
Other exhibitions have included a joint show with Lindy Finlay in Sydney this year, the Graduating exhibition at the Faculty of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong, the Long Gallery FCA at the University of Wollongong, both in 1996, and the 1988 TAFE Graduation Exhibition at Wollongong West TAFE.
Dodd's current work continues in a similar vein, she said, retaining the sense of order but becoming looser and the paintings becoming bigger. She is currently working towards a major exhibition in Sydney next year. |
