“I wanted to paint a picture that people would stand before and forget that it is made of paint….”
O. Henry (The Purple Dress).
Lorraine Pichugin is an artist based in Perth, Western Australia. Having an intuitive approach to recording the world around her since a child meant pencils and paper have always been close by, even when life pushed producing art into the background. Over the last few years, after spending some time studying Fine Art & Visual Culture at Curtin University as a mature age student, Lorraine’s passion to paint was reignited.
The decision to follow her heart and become a fulltime artist in 2019, has resulted in several First Prize awards, as well as Overall Winner (Northam Art Prize 2021) in local and international Art Competitions. Lorraine has also recently engaged in teaching well attended workshops, and participated in two Artist Residencies. Earlier this year, a much-desired goal was achieved with the holding of her very successful first solo show.
Lorraine Pichugin’s work appears initially about capturing still life objects. It is only when one pauses to take a closer look with a deeper level engagement that Lorraine’s real focus begins to reveal itself to the viewer. The familiarity of the still life prop fades in significance as the diffused light begins to glow and the shadows take shape. The narrative becomes clear. Shadows.
Lorraine is currently working towards a follow up solo show planned for late 2025, as always engaging with the recurring theme of Light and Shadow.
Lorraine’s works are held in private collections nationally, and internationally.
Statement
In my work I aim to create narratives of peace and calmness where shadows are not only okay, they are beautiful. The depth of colour in my work is achieved through what is underneath. I work in layers of paint (or whichever medium I happen to be using) and cannot help seeing the correlation between my creating process and life. Layers (of events) add depth, beauty and sometimes even darkness. They all work together to bring form and solidity to art…and life. Light adds illumination to colour and meets the darkness to bring harmony.”
Where there are shadows there is, without doubt, a source of light. Shadows are a given. It is the shadows that bring real connection. We all relate to shadows. When the shadows are shared and the sorrows of life are walked together, when we hear the words ‘me too’ or ‘I understand’ genuine linking of hearts is experienced. My art continually explores that interaction between Light and Shadow. I am inspired by stories of courage and hope. Brave souls who would not think of themselves like that, who have ventured out and found the beauty in their darkness, souls who echo my conclusion that ‘(There is) Still Life in the Shadows’.
“There is a rhythm of beauty all around us, the interplay of light and shadows. Together they work in harmony. Without light there are no shadows and it is in the very presence of shadows that we become aware of the light.” Lorraine Pichugin
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