Clarine Wilmar

Working with mixed media allows me to translate the intermingling of species in a shared environment by capturing the multitude of textures and qualities that make up this ephemeral space.

A key element within my practice is the process of journeying by foot which allows physical interaction with the natural world through the layering of tracks left behind from ones journey.

The footprints and impermanent indentations that are left on the malleable foreshore strengthen this connection to the land and its inhabitants.

This fascination stems from experiencing a disconnect to the rapidly growing industrial city of Melbourne and fast pace style of living, that when immersed in nature, reality becomes clear and a sense of knowing and understanding sets in. The concept of journeying connects to the storytelling aspect within my practice, relaying a narrative that can be understood and forming connections to people from various walks of life.

Within recent years I have discovered a personal passion for exploring and celebrating my cultural identity which is something that I have struggled with throughout my life. Through different means including meditation, self reflection, memory recollection and writing I have been able to delve deep into a re-discovery of myself which is continually evolving allowing me to be able to celebrate my cultural identity.

In doing so some of my recent works have started to exhibit elements of my Chinese culture and the intersection of Eastern and Western influences. Through the mixture of hybrid influences including human-non-human intersections and my own hybrid identity I have been able to create a space where my artwork speaks and connects with a more diverse audience to embrace the education, promotion and practice of different cultural events and festivities.

The merging of these two main themes within my practice has allowed me to create highly interesting and successful works where visually the piece is very captivating and the meaning and intentions behind it have also become more complex. This has helped me to translate storytelling and narratives as another focus through my art which I intend to pursue and eventually write, illustrate and produce a picture book of short stories depicting these themes.