DOMESTIC SCENES: Armidale artist Leah Bullen is working on a series of drawings inspired by her childhood home (photo: supplied)
AN ARTIST living and working in Armidale has turned her attention to the details of domesticity during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’, embarking on an at-home residency made possible with a micro grant from Arts North West.
Leah Bullen cares for her elderly mother and “needed to stay at home with her due to increased caring duties,” she told Arts North West.
“I have been visually recording scenes from my neighbourhood and the daily activities of my family home.
“I’m making a series of drawings and paintings on paper that refer to the everyday and the domestic.” Leah Bullen
According to Leah, the residency has provided her with the opportunity to make work by paying attention to both the caring process, and the world she grew up in.
“As I could not maintain a safe social distance from her due to my caring duties, the initial phase of the lockdown meant that I rarely left home,” she explained.
Leah Bullen Community Garden (photo: supplied)
“During this time, the world outside receded, while the quiet and domestic sphere of my childhood home became a constant backdrop.
“I have approached this project through observing, photographing, drawing and visually recording daily activities and my home environment.
“This documentation includes a variety of subjects, such as interiors, domestic vignettes, home and garden landscapes as well as documenting everyday activities during lockdown,” she said.
Return to drawing
A graduate of the School of Art and Design and the Australian National University, Leah told Arts North West that she’s been developing a hybrid approach to her art in recent years, based on watercolour painting and monotypes.
“This process usually involves the use of a relief-printing press,” she explained.
“COVID-19 has meant that I do not currently have access to this printmaking equipment.
“Though challenging, this situation has provided me with the opportunity to use this home residency time to return to drawing, experimenting with mark making and more direct approaches to working.”
Follow updates from Lea’s studio on Instagram: @leah.bullen
Leah Bullen Saturday Morning (photo: supplied)