FREE EVENT
235 Maroondah Hwy
Healesville 3777
TIMES
Tuesday: 5pm – 9pm
Wednesday: 12pm – 4pm
Thursday: 12pm – 4pm
Friday: 12pm – 9pm
Saturday: 12pm – 9pm
Sunday: 12pm – 4pm
As part of The Big Anxiety program across Yarra Ranges, Lucinda Makin’s Lost in Serenity considers the mechanisms we use to ground ourselves, to find places of calm and serenity. Learn to take a breath, let the mind wander somewhere safe, and just be.
Artist statement:
Lost in Serenity is a collection of artworks that either represent mental struggles directly or allow the mind to escape stress to a place of peace. The still life and landscapes were either photographed or painted in the impressionist style and symbolise mental strength, courage, mindfulness, exhaustion, stress and illnesses such as PTSD, bipolar, depression and anxiety. The artworks in ‘Lost in Serenity’ are based on lived experience and my journey since being diagnosed with mental illnesses.
The paintings focus on finding a place of calm and serenity to digest strong emotions and understand thought processes. I envisage the exhibition as mindfulness through art and imagery, showing neutral places and objects in nature to ground panic and find relief.
On the surface the paintings look realistic, serene and overall ‘pretty pictures’ but have a deeper story – the viewer doesn’t have to dive into the story of mental struggles if they don’t want to, similar to how people with anxiety don’t have to face their triggers head on if they don’t want to. It is all voluntary, and with support and encouragement, we can raise awareness by understanding what we all go through every day.
Image: Polly McQuinn Falls, Lucinda Makin (acrylic on canvas).
Lucinda Makin
Lucinda Makin, a Melbourne based artist, is known for her variety of works from light digital to large canvas arts. Born and raised in country Victoria, a place known for its dry plains, hot summers and bushfires, this is where her early works were inspired. Her works have since evolved to include modern abstracts and subjects such as mental health. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Warning: This exhibition contains material some audiences may find distressing. Supervision is recommended for audience members under 15.