Mixed Media on paper, ready to hang.

Signed on the back.

This artwork comes with an external frame

Two Paths comes from a larger body of work that depicts the Australian Landscape in an alternative way. The landscape is first experienced and documented by Rhodes, who then transforms this record of the landscape into a depiction of his memory and experience by projecting onto it through several of his studio techniques. Rhodes printed Two Paths by hand in the darkroom before applying oil paint to the prints to give them a unique quality. When applying the paint Rhodes uses no reference images to inspire him, instead, he works entirely from memory. By working from memory, Rhodes is able to transform the simple document of the landscape into a depiction of his experience of Australia. The multiple prints depicting two waterfalls represent the paths one follows in life, never knowing when one’s path will join another.

The initial prints are created in the darkroom using expressive, and often intuitive, techniques. Exposures are made through gut feeling after reading the negatives, and the developer is painted on the paper using a brush until the desired amount of image appears. Once the prints are finished, they are hand coloured with oil paint and assembled if necessary. This approach to making photographic work produces a depiction of the natural landscape that only exists in the works. They challenge our memory of the landscape and explore how we can alter our experience of it.

I have used a combination of image content, materiality, and studio practice to conceptualise ‘Two Paths’. Initially, I spent time in the landscape to understand its cyclical process and how they connect to life. During the process, I documented the landscape through black-and-white photography. I then developed and printed the photos by hand in the darkroom using expressive, and often intuitive, techniques. The exposures were made through gut feeling after reading the negatives, and the developer was painted on the paper using a brush until the desired amount of image appeared. Once the prints were finished, I assembled, and hand-coloured them using oil paint. This approach to making photographic work produced a depiction of the natural landscape that allowed me to project myself into it. By projecting myself into the works I can explore concepts of mortality, rebirth, and memory.

In "Two Paths," I explore the cyclical process of life as it connects to the natural landscape. To gain a deeper understanding of this connection, I spent time in the landscape and documented it through black-and-white photography. The tactile process of developing and printing these photographs in the darkroom using expressive and intuitive techniques allowed me to bring a sense of emotion and personal experience into the works. The resulting prints were then hand-coloured with oil paint, giving them a unique depth and texture.

This approach allowed me to project myself into the natural landscape, and in turn, explore themes of mortality, rebirth, and memory. By infusing my personal experience and emotions into the works, I hope to invite the viewer to consider their own connection to the natural world and the fleeting nature of life.