Mornington Peninsula artist Caroline Graley translated physical movement into three dimensions when she put away her dancing shoes.
“[Dance was] one form of self-expression that was allowed in the family, not talking so much,” Ms Graley said.
“Just the crazier the better.
“But I did do classical ballet when I was a child as well, so that was hard work that, really hard.”
The artist, currently exhibiting at arcYinnar, started making clay sculptures to find an outlet for her physical energy and in her 30s eventually turned to dance therapy.
“Someone I knew who I loved died. I was very grieved, and that’s when I started doing the two-handed drawings with a pastel in each hand.
“I felt like I was totally devastated, and it was a way to integrate in a physical way as well.
“I think with art or any of the arts you’re externalising something … and then you understand yourself better, or rather than everything being packed inside you. I think we all get stressed by that.”
Her pastel works of vibrant, symmetrical colours are currently on display at arcYinnar, as well as complementary sculptures of aluminium finished with automotive varnish and some smaller wire works.
Feminine forms and lines fill the space, and the installations create striking shadows on the walls.
Ms Graley said making art was a way to engage all the senses to make “conscious what’s unconscious previously”.
“Maybe a lot of our energy comes from reproduction, from sexuality, from that core part of ourselves, and I don’t know, does creative drive come from there? I don’t know.”
She created all of the work in Flourish in the past year or so, except for a 19-year-old vivid acrylic piece which marks the entry to the exhibition. Flourish opened on Saturday and will be open until 18 November.
