Holly Leonardson

Spring Time No. 5
1-17 September 2023
Backwoods Gallery

Spring-Time was created by Melissa Grisancich back in 2016. The premise of the annual show was to provide creative spaces for women to celebrate their work in all stages of their emerging and established careers. This fifth exhibition was curated by Melissa and Morgan Blue.

Spring Time no.5 is a celebration of the transmutational power of creativity. Each artist was encouraged to respond to the shared experience of convalescence and what it means to emerge into newness and change. We are so excited to welcome you to this show that is generous and abundant.

Artist lineup: Carla McRae, Chloe Smith, Molly Turner, Hannah Maskell, Charlotte Alldis, Sophia Smithwick, Holly Leonardson, Melissa Grisancich, Morgan Blue.

Sponsored by the RVCA Artist Network Program

Flyer image Morgan Blue
Click here to view the catalogue or purchase works.

Daily Swim # 1, 2023, acrylic, Japanese acrylic gouache, sand, wood panel, 610mm x 460mm x 20mm. Framed in Tasmanian oak. Photographed by Alberto Zimmerman.

Daily Swim # 2, 2023, acrylic, Japanese acrylic gouache, sand, wood panel, 610mm x 460mm x 20mm. Framed in Tasmanian oak. Photographed by Alberto Zimmerman.

Daily Swim # 3, 2023, acrylic, Japanese acrylic gouache, sand, wood panel, 610mm x 460mm x 20mm. Framed in Tasmanian oak. Photographed by Alberto Zimmerman.

Artist statement
These works share a narrative of different times spent in the ocean. I enjoy swimming all year round but I like bright Winter mornings best for the crisp air and cold, clear water. Spending time in nature and in the water became especially grounding for me over the past twelve months. Each salt water dip soothed my mind and relaxed my body. Leaving the water only when I felt truly ready, I’d return to the towel I had left waiting for me on a rock or the cool sand, wrap myself up, say a mental goodbye and thank you to the sea before walking home. The routine of daily swims and studio time spent painting recurring motifs and orderly stripes gave me a restorative space for reflection and renewal just like Spring.

Accompanying artists zine

These black and white images (above) are excerpts from the published zine, which includes interviews with each exhibiting artist. My contributions follow my time spent beach combing close to home and time spent in the studio, with photographs of my finds and some sketches and paper templates from my studio diary that were used to make the final paintings.