Lynda Draper

Talismans for Unsettled Times 2023

Introduction

Lynda Draper is an artist who lives and works on Dhawaral Country in Thirroul, NSW. Working primarily in ceramics, creating artwork is a mediative and very personal experience for Draper. Her work is often centred on themes of environment, dreams vs reality, memory, and a fascination with humans placing importance on objects.

Through her installation of ceramic sculptures for The National 2023, presented at Campbelltown Arts Centre, Draper hopes audiences find individual moments of connection to her work. 

Inquiry questions

  • What do these sculptures remind you of?
  • How do these sculptures make you feel when you look at them?
  • What may inspire the artist to create this style of work and to this scale?
  • What are some of the strengths and challenges the artist might experience using clay to create such large sculptures?

Creative learning activity

You will need

  • Drawing paper
  • Coloured pencils or markers 

Process

  1. Observe Lynda Draper’s work either in the gallery or through images. Spend a few minutes observing the shapes and forms she has created in her sculptures.
  2. Using paper and drawing materials, begin the following observational drawing exercises:
  • Draw one of her sculptures without looking at your page
  • Draw one of her sculptures as a continuous line (that means without taking your pen/pencil of the page!)
  • Incorporate additional colours without looking at your page
  • Swap your drawing with a peer to add to each other’s drawings

Reflection

  • What words would you use to describe the drawings you created?
  • Reflect on the process of drawing without looking at your page and/or using continuous line. How did you find this process? What did you enjoy or find challenging?