Statement
Liz describes her work as a meditation where you can disappear into the landscape. There are not very many overt referential horizon lines and for all the pervasive ‘pictorial reality’ or naturalism, the pictures are foremostly paintings about the act of painting. As evident in 'Falling for You' a painting that could almost be read from any angle. It is a busy all-over type painting reminiscent of Abstract Expressionist or indigenous Australian paintings, whereby an all-over pattern is a central concern. It’s as much about the design as the ‘picture’ or subject.
Influences
Liz Sullivan’s artwork is primarily about mark-making, very spontaneous and the subject just happens to be the landscape. The visual elements of line and colour are well activated to keep the eyes moving about on the surface. Working on primed panels, the marks bounce of the surface. The artist insists each blade of grass, each leaf, each mark, is there for itself.
Awards
Liz Sullivan has been a Finalist in the Doug Moran prize, The Glover prize, The Kennedy prize and recently, the Archibald Prize. Liz was the inaugural recipient in 1984 of the Clemenger Art Prize.