Somerville Community Art Space: Glenys Van Dorrsen

Next date: Friday, 31 October 2025 | 12:00 AM to Wednesday, 19 November 2025 | 11:00 AM

Feature image: Honey Eater Spirit (deleted scenes) by Glenys Van Dorrsen. Hand manipulated print (hand-coloured etching, embossment, and relief), eco-printed Arches 300 GSM cotton rag, 39cm x 27cm, 2023.

Exhibition Title:

Australian Animal Series

Artist Statement:

My most recent artworks, ‘Australian Animal Series’ Eco Prints are inspired by the Australian environment and our Indigenous culture. It is important to me to capture the spirit of the land to communicate, express and acknowledge the beauty of our environment to ensure its future protection.

The textures and naturalistic colours of the Eco print marry traditional and modern techniques. I enjoy combining several techniques into one artwork, giving my art a unique, contemporaneous style. These one of a kind (H.M.P) prints are created on 300 GSM Rag using environmentally safe inks, whilst celebrating the unique and delicate nature of the Mornington Peninsula’s flora and fauna.

Bio:

Glenys van Dorssen is a Melbourne-based artist and experienced printmaker whose work draws deeply from Australian flora, fauna, and the country’s protected habitats. After completing a Bachelor of Art (Fine) in 1990, majoring in printmaking and painting, she expanded her skill set with a Bachelor of Teaching in 2007. A seasoned traveller, Glenys recently spent a year exploring Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Iceland, Egypt, and Portugal, where she gained fresh inspiration from diverse landscapes, further refining her distinct style. Her work is known for its energetic, calming, and whimsical qualities, reflecting the naturalistic colours of the Australian bush.

Her recent Australian Animal series merges traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques, combining etching with organic pigments from the eco-printing process and incorporating stencils to create spirit-animal silhouettes. The natural pigments and textures she employs are not merely tools; they transform into integral components of the artwork’s subject matter. Through eco-printing, the paper’s surface begins to resemble bark, echoing the textures and forms found in nature. This tactile, organic quality draws viewers into the work, creating a connection where the materials embody the very essence of the Australian landscape.

The materiality of the work—its pigments, paper, and textures—enhances its depth, allowing the viewer to experience both process and subject as a single, inseparable entity. This approach not only pushes the boundaries of printmaking but also fosters a deep connection between the viewer and the environment that inspires her work. She has recently enjoyed success selling her artworks both privately and through numerous solo and group exhibitions, including around the Mornington Peninsula in 2024.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/van_dorssen_glenys_artist/

Website: artistsattitude.com.au