Artist : Loïque Allain

Loïque, Kath and I had a few wild water adventures and I will always be grateful for them both jumping in and just enjoying the landscape, wild walk and swim and I was also given the opportunity to do some Lino’s which have been printed by Loïque in her VIC studio, which I had to inculde a bottle of wine from her winery….read more below. So maybe I will host two artist at once again….Kate

Artist bio:

Loïque Allain is based in Daylesford on Dja Dja Wurrung country. Working predominantly with linocuts and weaving, her work is an exploration of the environment that surrounds her. The movement of walking through the natural expanses that surround her has influenced the way she carves and weaves. Reflecting the process of her regular walks through the local landscapes she has developed a way of re-carving and re-weaving her paths through her creative expressions.

For Loïque, engaging with the land is not just seeing with the eyes, but rather, through her whole being—it is a visceral experience. Through immersing herself in the landscape, she is surrounded by the elements— earth, water, wildlife, seasons and climate and the music this coalition creates the sound of wind, birds and rocks. Her carving and weaving processes become a meditation of her trajectory across the spaces that she has traversed, expressing the feelings conjured of being in a particular place.

Loïque graduated with Honours in Printmaking at the Univeristiy of Tasmania in 2015, and a Bachelor of Visual Art and Design at the Adelaide College of the Arts in 2012. She has participated in a Helpmann Academy mentorship and she has undertaken Artist Residencies at the Venice Printmaking Studio, Venice, and Atelier Contrepoint, Paris. In addition to her participation in many group and solo exhibitions across Australia and in France, she has been a recipient and finalitst of national and state art prizes.

Q: What did you feel when the spinning wheel selected you?

A: I felt excited when the spinning wheel chose me. I was longing to come back to the Coorong and it was perfect t timing. I kind of already knew it was going to choose me. I initially put my name down and then took it off because I hadn’t checked with Chris my husband if he could have the kids that whole week. But he confirmed and then I re-entered. I told him if I enter this time I am going. And the wheel chose me.

Q: How did your time influence your practice?

A: It was inspiring in so many different ways. Kate rang and told me she had a surprise artist staying that week too - Cath. It was a blessing having Kath there too. We had dinner together , went for walks and talked a lot. But we also gave each other space and came together when we felt like it. It was perfect. It made me remember that things happen for a reason and allowed me to have more freedom in making whatever I felt like creating at the time. Spontaneity returned to me and my work.

I felt the raw -rugged -wild landscape of the Coorong helped loosen me up in my mark making again. I was outside a lot which I love and that helps me feel more connected to my work as its landscape based. I love the colours of the Coorong the many green and blue hues and the radiant sunsets and sunrises - these colours have entered my works. And to just be on my own without my family for a week to work really helped me be immersed and helped bring the focus back to creating.

Q: Did you have a typical day or did you change your daily practice when you were here.

A: I woke up early and walked every morning either on the foreshore of the Coorong or down the driveway - I would then either go for a walk to the Island or drive and visit another area of the Coorong or stay and work in the studio - but I worked everyday either drawing, painting , weaving or carving Lino.

Q: how did you prepare for your residency?

A:I made sure I brought different art materials with me so that I had the option of doing whatever I felt like on the day. I packed a good backpack to carry water and art supplies on walks. I remember going grocery shopping and I found it difficult because I was just getting groceries for me and not thinking about what others wanted to eat but just myself. I struggled with that the most. And then I just packed comfortable clothes.

Q: You also run a winery with your partner can you tell us about that.

A:We live in Daylesford Victoria and my husband and I make wine together in the Macedon Ranges. Our label is Dilworth and Allain and we have been making wine together since 2017. Our wine like my art is a reflection of the land and it is also becomes a way of experiencing a place. Chris studied viticulture and oneolgy at Adelaide uni and I learnt my winemaking skills on the job. We lived and travelled in Italy, France, and different regions in Australia to find the place where we wanted to make wine. We had the opportuity to start our own label here in Victoria so we took it.