THE OPEN SPACE — Nerina Lascelles

Yering Station Art Gallery | 13 December 2023 - 21 January 2024

The title of my most recent exhibition is, ‘The Open Space’ which for me has multiple meanings.

Firstly, ‘The Open Space’ describes the formless dimension that precedes all matter. The emptiness or void from which all possibilities are held. In Buddhism, emptiness is the ultimate nature of reality, empty of inherent, independent existence.

Physicists estimate that emptiness makes up 80 percent of the universe and that 99.9 percent of the human body is empty space.

Perhaps it is because space is essentially our true nature that the human soul has an unconscious yearning for wider horizons, nobler ambitions and to connect with a spiritual dimension that lies beyond the mere physical.

At this time in history It would appear that many are turning away from society’s incessant concern with the material to rediscover practices that offer the experience of increasing inner spaciousness and peace.

“The wind traverses the vast sky
Clouds emerge from the mountains
Feelings of enlightenment and things of the world are no concern at all .” - Keizan Jokin 1268~132
Mixed Media on Canvas
152cm x 152cm

Mankind’s essential relationship with inner space was highlighted for me after experiencing numerous Melbourne lockdowns. Whether relating to our yearning for more physical space, for a sense of mental space, a desire for more space to connect with our emotional world or the yearning to connect more deeply with our spacious spiritual essence, it would seem that after an enforced period of time out of our busy day-to-day lives, that an element of ‘open space’ was essential in restoring balance, not only in Melbourne, but globally.

"A running stream,
The cold mountain path
Deep in the clouds,
The old temple bell" - Zenrin-kushu
Mixed Media on Canvas
122cm x 152cm

Not only was this body of work created in the womb like ‘Open Space’ of my circular art studio, but the practice of ‘space consciousness’ (or connecting with the stillness, presence or essence beneath the fleeting nature of form) has been instrumental in creating this new body of work.

While these paintings arise from space consciousness, they also visually depict the dance between form and space, the manifested and un manifested.

“Blue green springwater
White moonlit mountain
Quiet wisdom of the spirit
Empty gaze beyond silence” - Han Shan
Mixed Media on Canvas
152cm x 152cm

Back at art school, I remember learning about the importance of space in an artwork - being taught that while viewing a painting, the eye is unconsciously scanning the picture plane for a place to rest. The space to contemplate, to absorb, and to reconnect with an experience of internal spaciousness.

It has been my intention to create an ‘Open Space’ within each painting in this series as an invitation to connect with the luminous presence within.

Perhaps you’ll also notice that the title of many of these paintings is a Haiku poem. This is intended to offer the viewer yet another window to pause, deepen and connect with the Open Space.

"Midnight on the lake
No wind. No waves.
The empty boat is flooded with moonlight" - Dogen 1200~1253
Mixed Media and Epoxy Resin on Board
120cm x 120cm

There is another layer to this choice of exhibition title however. ‘The Open Space’ is the name of a business that my beloved sister set up in 2009.

As many of you who know me personally are already aware, my darling sister lost a 10 year battle to cancer 18 months ago. This has certainly left an ‘Open Space’ in my heart and in my life, yet on another level, contemplating her physical absence somehow enables me to move into ‘space consciousness’ more easily. Such an enormous loss seems to crack open the formerly limited perception of my mortal existence to enable the light to enter. And it is here in this “Open Space” that I feel close to her.

This new body of work maps the journey of healing across 18 months from an intense experience of loss and separation, to reconnect with one’s true nature of infinite space, wholeness, beauty and love.