Liminal by Lily Nicholson & Poppy Kural
Artists Lily Nicholson and Poppy Kural drew inspiration from ‘the small moments’ in life for their new combined show, LIMINAL at Yeah, Nice gallery in Byron Bay.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Sammy Mather
Lily Nicholson in her studio located on the 50-acre bush property on the far south coast of New South Wales. Photo: Sammy Mather
Photo: Sammy Mather
According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word liminal relates to a ‘a transitional or initial stage of a process’ or ‘occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold’.
For artists Lily Nicholson and Poppy Kural it’s a word for an in-between phase, a pause or ‘the small moments’ in life and forms the inspiration for LIMINAL, now showing at Yeah, Nice Gallery in Byron Bay, New South Wales.
‘The title of this show sums up my work,’ says Poppy, a weaver. ‘It’s quite meditative and my inspiration comes from the times in life that are breathing spaces and those of reflection; woven gaps in time.’
Poppy uses natural and dyed hemp yarn and her signature brass wire to create intricate and delicate woven pieces, bringing them to life in her home studio in Sydney when her two-year old daughter is asleep.
Some artworks take days, others weeks, depending on the size of the weave. Never far from her side is a box of yarn, full of three kinds of looms.
As it was for so many creative people, 2020 was a year of change and upheaval for Poppy, seeing her move from Sydney to Tasmania and then back again.
‘The emotional rollercoaster we all went through last year has definitely come through in my current works; but I always come back to the subtle, quiet pauses and spaces between all the chaos and wonder that life is.’
‘Colour theory is the biggest influence in my work; sometimes I’ll choose colours intuitively, based on what feels good, or conveys a mood, other times I’m particular choosing colours that have a history or meaning,’ says Lily Nicholson. Photo: Sammy Mather
“My work, and this series in particular, acts as a means of reflecting on the small moments in between the big events in our lives.”
‘I feel incredibly fortunate to have a studio I can just leave everything set up; the view is pretty special too, all the trees, birds and wallabies. It’s pretty magic,’ says Lily Nicholson. Photo: Sammy Mather
Lily, a painter, lives on a 50-acre bush property on the far south coast of NSW (Yuin country) with her partner and two young sons.
Surrounded by farmland and national parks, her days are ruled by the seasons. In her tiny studio, Lily creates ethereal, abstract artworks with gouache and watercolours in pale earthy tones.
‘I’ve been working primarily with gouache and watercolour for around six years now,’ she says. ‘While it can be a difficult medium to manipulate, particularly the way I use it, I get a lot of satisfaction making it work the way I want it to.’
Lily’s abstract paintings are inspired by whatever is happening in her life at the time.
‘My work, and this series in particular, acts as a means of reflecting on the small moments in between the big events of our lives.’
Those moments include spending time fishing and diving for food; cutting, collecting and storing firewood in winter; and planting seeds in her garden and watching them grow into mature plants for harvest.
‘Looking out and appreciating the first light through the trees or taking in the view of a bushfire-scarred mountainside, [these are] normal everyday pauses, and in turn influence the work that I make.’
LIMINAL is on at Yeah, Nice Gallery in Byron Bay until April 16 – be sure to visit if you’re lucky enough to be in town!
‘Some pieces take days, others take weeks, it just depends on the size of the weave. I have three different looms I work with, and a box full of yarn and wire,’ says Poppy Kural. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Lily Nicolson’s studio on the far south coast of New South Wales. Photo: Sammy Mather
An artwork by Lily Nicholson sits in her studio. Photo: Sammy Mather
Sandalwood, naturally dyed hemp yarn and brass wire, framed in natural timber, from Poppy Kural’s current combined show at Yeah, Nice gallery. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
“My environment has always influenced my work; whether it’s my natural and physical environment or the energy and emotion of the current environment I am in.”
Lily Nicolson in her studio on the far south coast of New South Wales. Photo: Sammy Mather
‘Colour theory is the biggest influence in my work,’ says Lily Nicholson. Photo: Sammy Mather
VISIT
YEAH, NICE. GALLERY
4 Acacia Street, Byron Industrial Estate
EXHIBITION
March 19 - April 16