we are drawings
Artworks by Claudie Frock & Rene Bolten
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For more than a decade, Northern Rivers based artists Claudie Frock and Rene Bolten have developed solo and collaborative practices together, that explore drawing as a daily, expanded and situated process.
Their collaborative exchanges are shared with each other, the materials they use and the places they inhabit. Their expanded drawing practices employ movement, rhythmic and durational mark making, and the use of traditional and handmade materials. Through these exchanges they have cultivated a unique shared visual language, continually drawing themselves into existence.
Working with both conventional art materials and handmade inks and charcoals, created by Frock from foraged, grown, and gifted botanical materials; the artists' recent works have been made across Bundjalung and Biripi lands, as well as in Ireland and the Netherlands.
Drawing as a daily practice is an especially important aspect of Bolten’s creative process and supportive of his cognitive health. Both the artists find drawing a therapeutic as well as creative process, that supports their mental health and wellbeing, especially after their experiences of Lismore’s 2022 Floods and since Bolten’s diagnosis of Alzheimers.
‘We are drawings’ brings together solo and collaborative works created over recent years, including drawings made during their Watershed Studio Residency in Galway, Ireland, and a visit to Bolten’s homeland, the Netherlands. The exhibition also features works produced in their Northern Rivers studios and during residencies at Lismore Community Garden, and The Outer Magnolia Studio in Birdwood, Wauchope, on Biripi Country. As part of the exhibition the artist will also create a live durational collaborative work in the gallery.
Abstract Drawing Collaboration 67, Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, mixed media, handmade charcoal, elderberry and cranberry Hibiscus leaf inks on paper, 42 x 29.5cm
Abstract Drawing Collaboration 68, Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, mixed media, handmade charcoal, elderberry and cranberry Hibiscus leaf inks on paper, 42 x 29.5cm
Abstract Drawing Collaboration 69, Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, mixed media, handmade charcoal, elderberry and cranberry Hibiscus leaf inks on paper, 42 x 29.5cm
Abstract Drawing Collaboration 70, Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, mixed media, handmade charcoal, elderberry and cranberry Hibiscus leaf inks on paper, 42 x 29.5cm
Abstract Drawing Collaboration 72, Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, mixed media, handmade charcoal, elderberry and cranberry Hibiscus leaf inks on paper, 42 x 29.5cm
Abstract Drawing Collaboration 73, Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, mixed media, handmade charcoal, elderberry and cranberry Hibiscus leaf inks on paper, 42 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #17 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #18 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #19 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #20 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #21 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #22 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #23 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #24 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Drawings- #15 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29.5cm
Field of Colour #1 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainably sourced botanical inks on paper, 52 x 30cm
Field of Colour #2 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainably sourced botanical inks on paper, 52 x 30cm
Field of Colour #3 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainably sourced botanical inks on paper, 52 x 30cm
Field of Colour #4 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainably sourced botanical inks on paper, 52 x 30cm
Field of Colour #5 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainably sourced botanical inks on paper, 52 x 30cm
Field of Colour #6 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainably sourced botanical inks on paper, 52 x 30cm
Bright Places by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainability sourced charcoal and botanical inks on paper, 75 x 56cm
Blued to the Evening by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainability sourced charcoal and botanical inks on paper, 75 x 56cm
Cara Ithir by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainability sourced charcoal and botanical inks on paper, 56 x 75 cm
Failte by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainability sourced charcoal and botanical inks on paper, 56 x 75 cm
Ink Blots by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainably sourced botanical inks on paper.
These pieces are a sample of the the inks that Claudie has developed from sustainably soursed plant and lichens over the last four years. They are a snapshot of colours from acrosss a range of places including Bundjalung, Gumbaynggir and Biripi Lands in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions as well as Eire/Ireland and the Neverlands. These samples are Claudie's way of recording the unique colours she finds from botanical sources in different places and seasons.
Faces Collaboration #53 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media on paper, 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #54 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media, 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #55 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media, 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #56 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media, 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #47 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media, 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #48 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media, 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #49 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media, 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #50 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #51 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media, 21 x 29cm
Faces Collaboration #52 Rene Bolten and Claudie, mixed media, 21 x 29cm
Drawings Framed #62 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper,38.5 x 30.5cm
Drawings Framed #60 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 38.5 x 30.5cm
Drawings Framed #59 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 38.5 x 30.5cm
Drawings Framed #60 by Rene Bolten, mixed media on paper, 38.5 x 30.5cm
Inky by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainably sourced mango leaf and avocado pit and shell ink on paper, 101 x 45cm
Landmarks #6 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainability sourced charcoal botanical inks on paper, 34 x24.5cm
Landmarks #5 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainability sourced charcoal botanical inks on paper, 34 x 24.5cm
Landmarks #3 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainability sourced charcoal botanical inks on paper, 34 x 24.5cm
Landmarks #1 by Claudie Frock, handmade sustainability sourced charcoal botanical inks on paper, 34 x 24.5cm
Collaborative Landscape Drawings #82 by Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, charcoal lichen inks and mixed media on paper, 29 x 52cm
Collaborative Landscape Drawings #83 by Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, charcoal lichen inks and mixed media on paper, 28 x 50cm
Collaborative Landscape Drawings #84 by Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, charcoal lichen inks and mixed media on paper, 30 x 120cm
Collaborative Landscape Drawings #80 by Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, charcoal lichen inks and mixed media on paper, 24 x 50cm
Collaborative Landscape Drawings #81 by Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, charcoal lichen inks and mixed media on paper, 36 x 52cm
Collaborative Landscape Drawings #79 by Rene Bolten and Claudie Frock, charcoal lichen inks and mixed media on paper, 29 x 97cm
Map of Place is a long-term work in progress, made from sustainably sourced handmade lichen inks and charcoal inks on paper. Created in part at the Watershed Studio Art Residency in Bushy Park, Galway Eire/Ireland and at the Outpost Studio, Lismore on Bundjalung country. In 2023 Claudie first undertook the Watershed Studio Art Residency in, Galway Eire/Ireland, where she explored her sustainable foraging and walking practice and developed a set of lichen inks that spent 2 years fermenting and in 2025 Claudi was able to to return to Watershed Studio where she created new botanical inks, including Blackberry bramble charcoal and peony inks, and began her large-scale drawing Map of Places. On Return to her studio in Lismore she continued to work on this expanded-drawing, utilising fermented Linchen inks and charcoal inks made from botanical materials sourced from local places. Below are photos taken from different angles showcasing this amazing work.
Size length 400cm, width 104cm, height 40cm (highest spot).
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