Located in Bethany, Connecticut, Peter Sharp and Michelle Cawthorn, two Australian artists, recently embarked on a two-month residency at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. During my visit with them, they extended an invitation to explore the “Vault” and view some lesser-known works by the Albers duo. Intrigued by their art, I delved into their studio to learn more about their creative processes.
Both Sharp and Cawthorn are predominantly engaged in drawing, with Cawthorn’s practice branching out into painting and installation. The projects they undertook during their residency were inspired by Josef Albers’s color innovations and Anni Albers’s groundbreaking work in textile design and weaving. Immersing themselves in the vibrant art scene of New York City, they visited numerous galleries and museums, including the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art, drawing inspiration from the diverse range of artistic expressions they encountered.
Sharp made significant strides in three distinct projects during their residency. One project involved weaving cut strips of printed paper filled with colored pencils, paying homage to the Albers’ legacy. Another project saw him altering pages extracted from Josef Albers’s seminal book, “Interaction of Color,” intending to create a completely transformed book with his unique modifications. Additionally, Sharp embarked on the “Albers Drawings” series, capturing charcoal depictions of various flora and fauna he encountered during his walks around the foundation’s grounds.
During our conversation, Sharp drew parallels between his work and the bark paintings of John Mawurndjul, an Indigenous Australian artist renowned for his intricate crosshatching technique on bark. This comparison highlighted the distinct artistic traditions of the United States and Australia, separated by over 9,000 miles of ocean.
Cawthorn’s collages, collectively titled “Anni’s Birds,” feature whimsical hybrids of birds sourced from various publications, including John Gould’s comprehensive guide “The Birds of Australia.” By combining birds native to Australia with species from other regions, Cawthorn creates captivating visual narratives that reflect the migration patterns of these avian creatures across continents.
Both Sharp and Cawthorn, in their distinct ways, explore the natural world through their art, drawing inspiration from the unique ecological landscapes of Australia. While their work may not overtly emphasize Australia’s ecological identity, their deep connection to nature shines through in their meticulous representations of natural elements, such as pine cones and birds.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of Sharp and Cawthorn result in a collection of artworks that invite viewers to delve deeper into the intricate relationships between art, nature, and cultural heritage. Their creations, rooted in personal observations and artistic interpretations, offer a nuanced exploration of the diverse landscapes and traditions that shape their artistic practice.
