Art2Muse

Artworks available to view in Sydney

Lilly Blue, also known as Lilly Wortzel, has spent her life traveling the world, settling in both remote and vibrant communities, and relishing the possibilities that arise when one lives as a citizen of the earth. She has always been intrigued by the mystery of the creative process and the personal, social and cultural riches born of such pursuits. Her recent ink drawings are intuitive reflections, whimsical in nature, and indicative of her passion for a deep and authentic connection with people, and with life. She is delighted by the imagined, curious and tender landscapes that exist inside of each of us, yet equally sensitive to the pain and disappointment born of cowardice,ignorance,and loss.

Lilly graduated from the Tasmanian School of Art in 1995 and soon after settled in New York City to continue her creative work. In 2006 Lilly was discovered by the historic Galerie, LWS in Paris, France. She has since participated in a number of Parisian shows including four consecutive years of success at the Salon Dessin Du Contemporain, one of Europe’s most significant works on paper shows. Lilly lives in Sydney and continues to show her work both locally and internationally. She remains passionate about the discoveries that are possible when one explores the hidden landscapes of the soul, and then dares to reveal what is found there.

Artist Statement

About a year ago I began an intense collaboration with dancer Jo Pollitt which has seen us recently launch the First Flight issue of BIG Kids Magazine. Based on bravery, imagination and generosity BIG is a contemporary arts magazine that profiles the work and responses of children and artists side by side. Since embarking on this co-authored project with Jo I have come to see my lines on a page as more of a silent visual choreography. A floor pattern tracking longings and failures; map like; incomplete; absolute. My hand responding to a personal lineage of marks and shapes; histories and broken bones. Working midnight hours to a dissonant soundtrack, Prokofievesque, storytelling the heartbreaks, hopes and missed opportunities of love and partnership. Investigating the losses that come from holding each other too tight, or not enough.

In this new body of work I explore the nature of relationships and the landscapes that sprawl distances between people. Graphite landing on unspoken conversations, making them visible (like rubbings on autumn leaves), even in their emptiness. The little red stitches holding it all together. Corrections like red crosses on a primary school page. A path; a fence; the fabric of our discontent like spiders’ webs or fishing nets. The unsaid stories that connect us and betray our need for distance, otherness and solitude.

Interestingly, despite the obvious disappointment in some of my images (no doubt a delayed response to my own heart break) I am now involved in the most intense, supportive, challenging and creative relationship I have encountered. The collaborative work I do with Jo feeds, frames and fuels much else in my life. There is something significant about connecting across a great distance with another human being that defies life's hopelessness and disappointments. In my work I search for marks that are relevant, and scribble stories that might change the way we relate to the world in small ways. I worry about the state of the planet, and especially the plight of children living without fresh water, sunlight and laughter. I am not sure how much of a difference my pages of ink can make, but I am convinced that truly connecting with another human being, and then making something together, is a defiant act with unmetered potential to catalyse change. This new body of work is called Infinite Proximity and with enormous gratitude I dedicate it to my creative partner Jo Pollitt for restoring my hope, distilling my fears, and making me far more brave.

Love,
Lilly

Biography

1991-94 Bachelor of Fine Arts Tasmanian School of Art, Hobart

1995 12 Days Stuck in a Hole, University of Tasmania Gallery
Do Not Touch, Moonah Arts Centre, Hobart
In a Practical Sense, Salamanca Arts Centre, Hobart
Almost Touching Rapture and Soft Machines, Installation Space, Hobart

2006 Joins Galerie Lucie Weill and Seligmann (LWS) , Paris

2007 Salon Dessin Contemporain, Paris
Balmain Art Show

2008 Salon Dessin Contemporain, Paris
Gallery LWS Selected Works, Paris
Le Petite Palais, Paris
Balmain Art Show

2009 Gallery LWS Selected Works, Paris

2010 Salon Dessin Contemporain, Paris

Commissions considered

Contact Katrina Hampton +61-424809849 / +61-2-9697 3299