JANINE GOOD

Artist statement: Carolyn Crossley Portrait

Acrylic on canvas 125x110cm

Carolyn Crossley has been a Councillor of the Shire of Wellington in Gippsland Victoria for 30 years and has been Mayor of Wellington Shire on two separate occasions as well as being a single mother and recently a grandmother.

I have portrayed Carolyn larger than life signifying her mountain of achievements but applying a soft palette to reflect her calm temperament. She wears an optimistic expression of someone who looks towards the future and relevant to her community roles is poised to speak.  

Initially attracted to Carolyn’s facial features of expressive eyebrows, crooked smile and dark optimistic eyes, as the portrait evolved it was the intricate network of her hair that came to represent the complex juggling of her many diverse roles.

I first met Carolyn at the Cowwarr Art Space about 20 years ago. The renovated heritage butter factory, a blend of rustic and modern architecture soon became one of my favourite galleries where many enjoyable exhibitions and events were hosted by Carolyn and her then partner Sculptor Clive Murray-White. It had a special energy that oozed creativity.  Carolyn and Clive’s parting forced the gallery to be sold in 2020.

 

I chose to portray Carolyn Crossley to pay tribute to this quiet but imposing-in-stature figure, a dedicated community leader and excellent role model for anyone questioning the strength of women. Her efforts include achievements for the environment, education, tourism and the Arts. Most significantly I applaud the role she has played supporting and promoting the Arts in regional Victoria where the Arts can often be viewed as excessive by traditional farming communities rather than as culturally significant and forming part of a holistic society.