Drawing on Western Australia’s landforms and structures, including its rivers, flatlands, and salt pans, the artist’s topographic perspectives emphasise the geological and cultural fragility specific to north western regions of the state. However, these works also embody deeper, visceral qualities as a result of Juniper’s materials and processes that reflect or mimic the environmental events in focus, such as drought and flooding, as well as ruptures and incisions to the land due to mining.Using minerals, clay and resist methods her surfaces, which give a three-dimensional illusion, show traces and signs of permanent and ephemeral aspects of nature. Her technique involves layering and arranging pigments, building textures, colours and patterns characteristic of the land itself. The result is an emotional response in correspondence to ancient physical forms which are strong and resilient yet environmentally fragile.Juniper’s personal response to place invites the viewer to explore one’s own position in relation to landscape, culturally, physically and spiritually. Her range of perspectives – from afar, up-close and from within – are a metaphor for the multifarious dimensions and complex meanings identified with the diverse landscape of WA.Bec Juniper is a highly regarded West Australian artist celebrated for numerous public sculpture and landscape design commissions. Her work is represented in public and private collections in Australia and overseas and is featured in the Intercontinental Hotel and Ritz Carlton Hotel in Perth. Bec Juniper won the King’s School Art Prize in 2018.
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