IN SYMBIOSIS WITH MOTHER NATURE: THE ART OF TRACEY DEEP
| by Barbara Pavan |
Tracey Deep is one of the most refined and original voices in contemporary Australian art, whose artistic journey is intrinsically tied to a profound and spiritual connection with nature. Over more than twenty-five years, Deep has woven her artistic path with a personal and deep vision of the natural world, recognizing it not only as a material but as a true muse and mentor. Her artistic practice unfolds through a continuous exploration of the potential offered by native Australian plants and other organic materials, which she employs to create floral sculptures and environmental installations capable of evoking a strong sense of harmony and balance. From her Sydney studio, her works tell a story of symbiosis between art and nature, where every form and texture not only represents natural beauty but transforms it into a powerful visual and emotional experience for the viewer.
Her works, characterized by intricate organic weaves and unique textures, emerge from an ongoing dialogue with Mother Nature, who not only inspires but also guides the artist toward formal and compositional solutions. The use of rare flora and recycled materials such as seaweed or natural fibers fits into a creative process that draws nourishment from the intrinsic beauty of the materials themselves. Nature, with its fractal forms and organic tones, becomes the starting point and the unifying element between form and content. Her sculptures explore themes of life, death, and transition in a sort of aesthetic ritual that celebrates the cyclical nature of life and its regenerative power.
Deep’s creative process is never linear but rather an ongoing search in constant evolution. Her works take shape both from intuition and from the material itself. Each piece is born from the observation and direct exploration of materials, which, in their simplicity or complexity, suggest ideas and forms. The result is a continuous evolution in which the tactile and visual quality of the materials guides the artist along her creative path. At the same time, her works can originate from an experience that sparks inspiration, such as a sense of wonder evoked by observing a natural phenomenon.
Her practice is characterized by an experimental approach and a deep pleasure in “playing” with materials. During her “playing days” in the studio, the artist tirelessly explores new ways to use fibers, metals, and organic textures, always seeking to understand how a material can best express its potential. This process, which involves a constant reflection on balance and the relationship between material and form, allows the artist to refine her technique and create increasingly complex works. Her extensive experience in producing works for exhibitions, commissions, and private clients has led to artistic maturity, reflected in her latest pieces, which are increasingly rich in nuances and meanings.
Deep has recently participated in internationally significant exhibitions, including Art in Bloom at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, showcasing sculptures of evocative beauty and powerful symbolic meaning. Her art has been exhibited at international art fairs. She was selected to create a piece for the 200th anniversary of Louis Vuitton with the installation Roots, which explores the symbolic and spiritual connection between humans and nature, using intertwined roots and recycled fibers to represent the strength and resilience of sacred trees and their roots. Additionally, she recently completed a public artwork for Wynyard Station in Sydney, a project that merges natural sculpture with urban architecture, giving life to a work that interacts with public space and enriches it with a sense of connection to Mother Earth.
Tracey Deep is an artist who does not merely represent nature but transforms it into a complex sensory and emotional experience, stimulating reflection on our relationship with the natural world and the possibilities of contemporary sculpture. Her work continues to evolve, exploring new materials, new forms, and new meanings while always maintaining at its core the deep and indissoluble bond with Nature.
* PH CREDIT NICHOLAS WATT
