Georgia Spain a painter and musician living and working in Tasmania on Palawa land. In the space of one week, Georgia received the 2021 Sir John Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW and won the Women’s Art Prize Tasmania. Guest judge for the Sulman prize, Elisabeth Cummings, described Georgia’s winning painting, Getting down or falling up, as “a strong, confident image full of energy and movement. Georgia Spain’s use of the figure is imaginative and very much her own, and the painting is well resolved, vibrant and alive.”
Outside of the gallery walls and studio, Georgia is a talented singer and songwriter. When asked in a recent interview how things have changed for someone enjoying so much success, her humble response was “to be honest, I feel exactly the same when I’m in my studio ” She shares with us her rituals, sources of inspiration and beautiful images of her daily life captured by her partner, musician, Oscar Lush…
Images by Oscar Lush
On what she does…
I spend most of my time painting, making things, playing music, cooking and hanging out in my home/studio with my partner and our dog.
On her daily rituals…
My days tend to be fairly varied but one daily ritual that is very consistent is coffee in bed and time spent reading to start the day. Then I walk my pooch on the beach before beginning my working day in the studio. At the moment the end of my day usually consists of cooking or eating something tasty and having a glass of wine!
Rituals for creativity & inspiration...
Reading and looking through art books, watching artist studio visits or docos, going to a great gig or seeing paintings in the flesh are all things in my life that feed my creativity and inspire me to make things.
where she draws inspiration from…
Everywhere?! Daily life and the people around me, photos and stories in the news, memories and old family photographs, overheard conversations, films, going to the theatre (when it is possible), the list goes on!
Rituals to rejuvenate...
Going camping! I've been pretty lucky to live by the beach and in the bush for the past 18 months so spending time outdoors, walking, and swimming in the ocean are probably the most rejuvenating things for me physically and mentally. I also love a long relaxing bath!
Rituals for productivity & organisation
Putting a record on and cleaning the house and my studio. This definitely isn't a daily ritual but it always makes me feel good. Where we live there is always work to be done on the land or in the garden, so often collecting firewood or doing something practical can get me out of a slump and make me feel productive.
