AFTER THE FLOODS – Original Abstract Painting by Kate Owen

FINALIST PRO HART ART PRIZE 2025.

This is an original abstract painting inspired by the Australian landscape, created during an eight-day painting trip on the banks of the recently flooded Paroo River at Yulo in far western Queensland. I began this work with a focus on the aftermath of flooding and shifting land, moving into a more abstract and less literal approach, and developed it through layers of paint to reflect movement, change, and recovery over time.Original abstract painting by Kate Owen Art Noosa. Available as an original artwork or fine art reproduction. Shipping available within Australia and internationally.

I've been wanting to move in a more abstract direction and this artwork seems to be a step along the way. I've had to resist 'fixing' things, connecting things and even making things look like things.

It is was a surprise to me how good it felt to let go of my usual 'rules' or habits. And it surprised me to see that it did somehow embody the way the landscape felt to me, just a few weeks after it was 6 metres underwater....

Layers of running water, mud, grass and detritus altered the land, broken branches and piles of debris fetched up against trees still standing. What I like most about this painting is the many layers where you can see parts of the layer beneath and parts of the layer beneath that etc etc.

Original abstract painting by Kate Owen Art Noosa. Available as an original artwork or fine art reproduction. Shipping available within Australia and internationally.