There is a mythic quality to Aaron Kinnane’s landscapes - they are his mediations about the land - they are not stated, they are suggested, leaving us to make our own imaginings about time and place. The Lucky Country is a pivotal work in his career, a continuation of his method and skilful use of knife and palette, while containing a deliberation and delicacy that is delightful on this scale.
This has to do with the sense of place. Human presence is hinted at, not expressed, enhancing the sense of wilderness. There is an overarching sense of the power of creation, in which Man is token. Kinnane’s energy in applying paint to the canvas delivers that same energy to the superficially tranquil landscape, as if nature, while quiescent, is poised to unleash forces that are far less benign than what we see. There is a dynamic tension between a delightful astoral, and an underlying sense of disquiet…
Julian Beaumont, 2021
