The Chaos and the Calm by Libby Haines
Melbourne-based artist Libby Haines draws on the joy and sometimes frenetic moments of motherhood for her first solo show, The Chaos and the Calm, at Saint Cloche gallery.
Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Libby Haines
‘Nostalgia will make you forget that the kids may have had a meltdown and refused to eat the pizza we made together – later all you remember is how fun it was to be picking toppings and smearing sauce on bases and being silly,’ says Libby Haines. Pictured: The Beach Picnic by Libby Haines.
The Breakfast by Libby Haines. Photo: Libby Haines
The Chaos and the Calm, Libby Haines’ first solo exhibition at Saint Cloche gallery, was inspired from memories from her childhood and moments as a mother to her two young children today.
These moments full of nostalgia where there’s joy in the little things, such as a meal shared and precious time spent together, are brought to life in each of Libby’s paintings.
‘The process of creating these paintings had me reflecting on not only motherhood, but childhood, and the foods that brought me joy growing up: birthday parties, dinner parties, cooking together and trips to the beach – the reality is these moments aren’t always perfect but there’s always so much joy to be taken from them,’ says Libby.
The artworks delve deep into the artist’s experiences as a mother – in particular the constant pull in different directions, ‘Juggling between these two states [of chaos and calm] is constant for me, and I’ve had to really come to embrace the unpredictable nature of raising toddlers and the push and pull between serene moments to sudden mayhem.’
For Libby, central to these moments is one common connection: food. The paintings show snapshots of table settings and scenes we would love to dive straight into; piles of delicious pancakes, pots of coffee, bowls of fruit, bottles of champagne and slices of pavlova.
‘Each meal has so many memories and meanings attached it. I love being able to take these scenes and capture the mood through vivid colours and textures, and immortalise an ordinary moment in time,’ says Libby.
The creative process for the series was a meditative escape for the artist, ‘I would often find myself switching from being completely in the zone with a painting to suddenly having to stop mid stroke to deal with a toddler sized drama, then back to painting again.’
In celebration of Mother’s Day a commissioned painting, Aftermath (In the Round House), will be donated by In The Round House for silent auction and a limited edition dinner plate by Libby Haines x ITRH will be launched.
‘I’m still pinching myself that my art is plate-worthy! And even more thrilled that the proceeds of the plate sales will be going towards Two Good Co,’ says Libby.
‘I find the process of choosing colour combinations really thrilling and it’s so satisfying when an unexpected combination works – painting this series was quite literally a meditative escape for me,’ says Libby Haines. Photo: Libby Haines
“I wanted my paintings to capture the imperfection and mess of these moments as well as the joy.”
‘Each meal has so many memories and meanings attached it. I love being able to take these scenes and capture the mood through vivid colours and textures, and immortalise an ordinary moment in time,’ says Libby Haines. Pictured: The Beach Picnic by Libby Haines.
Lunch by Libby Haines.
Aftermath by Libby Haines – the commissioned painting donated by In The Round House will be up for grabs through a silent auction.
THE CHAOS AND THE CALM AT SAINT CLOCHE
WEDNESDAY 28TH APRIL - SUNDAY 8TH MAY
37 MacDonald Street, Paddington, Sydney
