Larapinta Paintings 2020

This series of paintings are the result of a September 2019 artist’s expedition to the West MacDonnell Ranges. A highlight of the trip was painting on country with the traditional owners from the Iltja Ntjarra, Many Hands Art Centre.

When I painted the first canvas, I started with my usual technique, which I had applied to my Bylong Valley series. As the painting progressed, the landscape showed me how to paint it. This created a dichotomy where the mind stopped and the painting started. Initially, I was concerned about this division, but as I progressed through the series, I realised that this symbolised the transition of thought necessary for me to complete the work.

These works were exhibited as part of a group show called ‘gatherED’ at the University of Newcastle’s student gallery, Watt Space Gallery in April/May 2021.

In her review of this exhibition, Newcastle Herald art critic, Jill Stowell wrote “Malcolm Sands is now a bold and inspirational painter of desert forms” (Jill Stowell, Art critic, Newcastle Herald, Saturday, 8th May 2021 page 37)