THE SAPLING / A new painting / a Reminder of life’s seasons
THE SAPLING
Grampians charcoal and acrylic on Arches 300 gsm cotton paper. 100 x 100 cm
Framed with Archival glass, double white matte, white timber frame (not shown)
The idea for this painting came to me while out walking, let me explain...
My father loved to hike and walk, something I did often with him when I was young, a love he passed on to me. It was how he cleared his mind and prayed, I do something of the equivalent now myself. Since his passing in 2023 walking has become a way to celebrate him, and to be present with my memories of us. Last year on his birthday, I hiked through a part of the Grampians/Gariwerd bushland that had been burnt out by a series of severe summer fires earlier that year. I had not expected to be so profoundly moved by the tender, joyful, green things pushing up through blackened earth.
The poignancy of life having so vigorously returned from what was bereft and leveled, deeply resonated with me. It felt like a gift and a magical balm to my grief I decided to make a work that would forever serve a reminder of this experience. . A timely reminder right in front of me of the fact that we are governed by universal principles, by seasons; that renewal, regrowth and regeneration are equally a part of a cycle that includes loss. The love of the natural world enveloped me then, and I felt held in the silence of ancient resilience.
I decided to collect some of the charcoal off the ground, bringing it home to the studio. I then used it to prepare the background, thus it became the foundation of this work, transforming the literal residue of fire and destruction into something new. From that ground, the sapling rises. A metaphorical tree, evidence of life. The birth of the idea captured via materiality.
I can see now thatThe Sapling was in a way the beginning of a new body of work exploring how my practice belongs, or is finding its belonging in the Grampians. How I engage with the natural world, how I make sense of being grounded here. The relationship between myself, my work and the natural world is ever evolving and I am seeking to deepen it.
In The Sapling, the thread of energy running through the work is a reminder of all that is unseen and unspoken, this world is the one I have been most interested in exploring to date, not so much the natural or the seen world, however I find myself increasingly interested the relationship between the two. The above and below. The liminal and the tangible.
I have made other work exploring these themes, my sculpture installations and my film Dance of Fire (below) circles it. If you have not watched this it’s worth taking the few minutes to do so. I have used the Thought Catcher a recurring form within in my practise in all these works. In this film it is literally a dance with fire, and sums up so of what is is to be human.
My hope is that within my work you will find comfort in my vulnerability, a reminder we are never alone in our experiences. That to be human is to experience love loss and all in between. I made a short film documenting the behind the scenes of this work, you can watch this below.
The Sapling is now available for purchase here
To arrange a viewing in person or via video call please follow this link.
Limited Edition Print
I am considering a signed limited edition print run of this work — in an edition of 10 only. If this is something you are interested in, please get in touch as soon as possible here as expressions of interest will determine whether this goes ahead.
2026 Studio Update
This year has been one of quiet but significant shifts, I am using a new sculptural material, experimenting with new forms, and have new subject matter entering my work, while the essential questions still remain the same. I am still largely inspired by my dreams, I have so much of guidance, wisdom, imagery and understanding and direction come to me via my dream world. I am deeply driven by my ongoing desire to better understand what it is to be human. My curiosity for the unknown and that thread of enquiry has underpinned so much of my life. These new ways of working are extensions of this. Over time it is all becoming richer.
I have recently been invited to attend a residency in Portugal in July to further develop my skill sets alongside a group of artists from all over the world. These experiences always bring an invaluable amount of knowledge and understanding to everything I do, not just creatively, but as a friend, mother, and member of my community. Fingers crossed I can make this happen. By purchasing my work you are enabling me to continue to invest in my growth.
I have also put together a collectors catalogue which is available for a very limited time upon request, this is a small selection of paintings from previous years that have come back to my stockroom and which will be sent to other exhibtions.. etc by the end of June. Please get in touch here if you would like to take a look.
Also - note on my book; POETRY BURIED IN GEOMETRY
My poetry book Poetry Buried in Geometry is now available through Dymocks, Amazon, and many other booksellers, google search will bring up the best postal/price option. Signed copies can also be purchased directly from my website at jasminemansbridge.com/purchase. If this is a gift and you would like a particular dedication please let me know. Also If you have the book and have a favourite poem please let me know, you have no idea how much this means to me..
I appreciate you being here and following along .. please consider sharing with a friend who you think would appreciate this post and if you don’t already take a moment to subscribe at the end of this page…
JASMINE X
Acknowledging here the traditional custodians of the Grampians / Gariwerd, the Djab wurrung and Jardwadjali peoples. The national park carries both names, Grampians/Gariwerd in recognition of this.
— Jasmine Mansbridge, May 2026