HANNAH MURRAY | 'Light, dark and light again' | 2025 | graphite on paper | H 720 x W 540 mm

“A study of light and dark, this work employs the technique of chiaroscuro to enhance the intricate refractions of the delicate glassware and fragile folds of the hibiscus.”

Sunshine Noir explores the dynamic tension between sunlight and shadow. The darkest shadows are often where the sun is brightest, emphasizing their interdependence. This body of work strives to capture the ethereal dance of light and shadow, mirroring the dualistic nature of life in the tropics. It reflects an ongoing interest in the paradox of ‘paradise’ and the delicate balance between light and darkness, chaos and beauty, life and decay, and the natural and artificial.

Influenced by Dutch still life, the Japanese tradition of Ukiyo or ‘floating worlds,’ and Surrealism, the work blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination. Drawing inspiration from the unique tropical environment of Far North Queensland, the still life compositions combine deliberate and unexpected juxtapositions of imagery to create layered and playful narratives. Empty vessels, glassware and tropical flora and fauna serve as metaphors for ephemeral beauty, futility, and the impermanence of life and the natural environment.

HANNAH MURRAY | 'Light, dark and light again' | 2025 | graphite on paper | H 720 x W 540 mm