Day Trip at Saint Cloche

Bringing art and nature together, Day Trip is a collaboration between Saint Cloche artist Evi O and creative partner Andrew Grune. 

Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Andrew Grune

SPIKE (ed. of 5) by Andrew Grune. Photo: Andrew Grune.

Green Tree Specimen No. III by Evi O. Photo: Andrew Grune.

Based in Sydney, Evi O and her partner Andrew Grune met just before the world descended into covid lockdowns — faced with the usual date spots closed, they sought out new ways to get to know each other. ‘We went on a lot of car rides, sussing out each other’s playlist,’ Evi shares. 

On one particular lockdown date, they ventured out to Bathurst (‘to drive slow laps on the racecourse listening to trance’) when they decided to hike through the state forest. ‘We thought there were so many treasures without going too far away from where you live, and long story short, the making of Day Trip Sydney began.’

The result is a book that comfortably fits inside your pocket, bringing together all Evi’s and Andrew’s adventures across Sydney. Fifty-two walks give you an option for every week of the year, split by Sydney’s geographical sections (meaning there is something within 10km for all Sydneysiders).  

Growing up in the Indonesian city Surabaya, with a less-than-inclined nature-driven family, meant nature always held a romantic connotation for Evi that she set out to explore in her new Australian home. For Andrew, the Australian landscape was something he took for granted — it was leaving for London that made him ‘appreciate the absolute paradise we live in.’ He continues, ’I’m so glad I had the opportunity to write and photograph this book as it’s made me reconnect and fall in love with where I was born.’

‘The main inspiration is perhaps worshipping nature and being aware of the ethereal energy nature has in effect for us minuscule beings living on it,’ says Evi. ‘I, like a lot of people, go on nature walks to let off steam from the day-to-day obligations, and it is perhaps the bigger message we want to help promote with this book.’

‘The main inspiration is perhaps worshipping nature and being aware of the ethereal energy nature has in effect for us minuscule beings living on it,’ says Evi O. Photo: Andrew Grune.

SHREDS (ed. of 5) by Andrew Grune. Photo: Andrew Grune.

Green Tree Specimen No. II by Evi O. Photo: Andrew Grune.

“Pre-walk, or pre-making art, you have this idea of what you’re about to conquer, and it’s exciting and could be scary. But then you start doing it, and you reach this state where time is non-existent, and you’re at peace with your surroundings.”

— Evi O

WRECK (ed. of 5) by Andrew Grune. Photo: Andrew Grune.

“I think it’s important for people to have these moments where they can shift their consciousness into a happy, tranquil place. Not only does your brain feel good, but your body does too.”

— Andrew Grune

White Bird Specimen No. V by Evi O. Photo: Andrew Grune.

As to be expected with two creatives, the book's launch comes with an exhibition opening (which can be viewed virtually if you are unable to travel to Paddington to peer through Saint Cloche’s floor-to-ceiling window gallery). Evi’s graphic paintings are joined by Andrew’s surrealist bush-based photography and sculpture. 

Evi’s paintings explore the sense of being ‘on the road’, as she found herself mesmerised by individual trees and birds found in the vast landscape. And as ever, the geometric shapes appear in her distinct colour palette; she adds, ‘the colours are interpretations of colours found in nature, but with a positivity spun into it.’

Andrew’s photography pulls us directly into their explorations. ‘I found incredible abandoned objects in the middle of Jenolan State Forest that I couldn’t stop thinking about and knew I had to document,’ he reflects. ‘My brain then concocted some weird story of an unknown civilisation discovering them and cataloguing them aeons in the future.’

For Evi, the waterfall-laden walks and mountains south of Sydney call her back regularly, while the challenging yet rewarding rich terrain of the Blue Mountains sparks joy for Andrew. But it’s the collaboration of working together that is really exciting for the duo. 

‘Doing this type of book, we think is probably only possible to be done by couples,’ they conclude. ‘You share so much, too much maybe, during the making, and perhaps for us, this is also a project of understanding others.’ 

Spit Bridge to Manly, Sydney Harbour National Park from Evi O and Andrew Grune’s new book, Day Trip Sydney. Photo: Andrew Grune.

Green Tree Specimen No. I by Evi O. Photo: Andrew Grune.

‘As with any art project, it’s communicating something, and we think any form of art embodies the original energy of its inspiration – in the case of this exhibition, it is our connection as humans to nature,’ says Andrew Grune. Photo: Andrew Grune.

VISIT
DAY TRIP AT SAINT CLOCHE

14th - 25th June 2021

Day Trip Sydney by Evi O and Andrew Grune is published by Thames & Hudson, RRP $34.99. Available where all good books are sold and online.