The Awakening by Holly Terry
For her first solo exhibition, The Awakening, at Saint Cloche gallery, abstract painter Holly Terry balances the soft with the strong through colour, shape and texture, inspired by her journey as a student of yoga.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Holly Terry
The Awakening by Holly Terry. Photo: Holly Terry
Right Knowledge by Holly Terry. Photo: Holly Terry
Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal) by Holly Terry. Photo: Holly Terry
To Breathe by Holly Terry. Photo: Holly Terry
Melbourne-based abstract artist Holly Terry’s creative process is organic and ever-changing. Sometimes unstructured and sporadic, while other times lengthy and challenging.
‘Depending on my state of mind, works can be created with complete ease and simply flow from me as if I know exactly what I'm doing. Other times, they're more challenging, and hit multiple roadblocks along the way. It is often these works that teach me the most about myself and my practice,’ says Holly.
Holly’s first solo exhibition at Saint Cloche gallery in Sydney, The Awakening, embodies multiple mediums and many layers, drawing on the major teaching of yoga: 'yogas citta vrtti nirodhah' – which loosely translates to 'yoga is the practice that calms the fluctuations of the mind.’
The practice of yoga is a great tool to liberate the mind and build a foundation of inner fortitude and Holly’s interpretation of this ancient practice through painting, expresses this enduring source of wellbeing.
The collection of paintings balance the soft with the strong – the colour palette is muted and soothing, shapes are fluid and organic, contrasted against layers of heavy texture.
To achieve the complex layering, Holly’s process starts with texture over texture using sand, pumice, resin and glue. The process takes multiple days, with each layer requiring long drying time in between.
‘The heavy layering and texture can be representative of the many fluctuations that move through our minds and bodies, and the deep complexities of simply being human.’
For Holly, the human existence is not black and white, and is constantly juxtaposing, contradictory and multifaceted.
‘The palettes specifically are representative of each work's intention. Reds, pinks and oranges are often used to depict fire, movement and heat, while blues, greens and neutrals are representative of stillness and peace,’ she says.
The Awakening opens at Saint Cloche gallery on Wednesday 2nd March until Sunday 13th March.
‘The human existence is not black and white, and is constantly juxtaposing, contradictory and multifaceted. The palettes specifically are representative of each work's intention,’ says Holly Terry. Photo: Holly Terry
Kundalini Rising by Holly Terry. Photo: Holly Terry
“The soft, soothing tones of The Awakening speaks to the multiple facets of life. There can be strength as well as ease and there can movement where there is stillness.”
‘I base my work in the belief of the deep importance of feeling all parts of ourselves and honouring these, through compassion and love in order to release blocked energy and bring harmony to our whole being,’ says Holly Terry.
THE AWAKENING At SAINT CLOCHE
WEDNESDAY 2ND MARCH - SUNDAY 13TH MARCH
37 MacDonald Street, Paddington, Sydney