Latrobe Regional Gallery. February - June 2026
Commissioned by Latrobe Regional Gallery, Earthsong is a lyrical and ethereal homage to the complex and beautiful ecologies that shape Gippsland. A heartfelt and evocative representation of Gippsland living, dreaming and identity - capturing the many qualities that make our region proud. Expanding beyond scale, Earthsong incorporated elements not traditionally present in Lucy’s work, including immersive site-specific soundscapes and responsive temporal sculpture and installation
- Juan Sandoval-Rodriguez. Curator, Latrobe Regional Gallery
‘Earthsong’ ground earth pigment, charcoal, copper verdigris and binder on canvas. 220x175cm.
Dorodango (earth ball) installation
The installation of almost 500 hand formed clay and earth pigment spheres in the gallery was to highlight the use of natural materials - particularly of ground earth in making my paint. Based on the Japanese dorodango; these spheres represented cyclic conclusion in my practice - as I collect and grind rocks into powder to make paint, and paintings, before returning the remnant pigmented material into a ‘rock’ like form. The cycles of nature and the build/reduce/renew process was further represented by the installation of hundreds of balls in the open air courtyard, where the rain, beating sun and wind eroded them over the course of the exhibition.
‘The Stewardship of Ants’ ground earth pigment, charcoal, copper verdigris and binder on canvas. 180x150cm
‘Of Rocks and Trees, of Skies and Seas’ ground earth pigment, charcoal, copper verdigris and binder on canvas. 220x175cm
‘Vantage Point’ ground earth pigment, charcoal, copper verdigris and binder on canvas. 220x175cm
En plein air survey of Gippsland
Paintings made en plein air in hand mulled oil paint with earth pigment. An attempt to cross section the vast and varied West, South and Central Gippsland landscapes. From Loch to Hedley, Corner Inlet to Mount Baw Baw.
By the clicking of soldier crabs and cooing of black swans (Bullock Island Corner Inlet.
Where bellbirds greet you (Henry Littledyke Reserve Poowong)
Home (Loch from Cape Horn)
The mosquitos almost carried me off (but I stayed for the xanthorrea) - (Gelliondale State Forest Hedley)
Kelpie Corner (Yarragon South)
If I stayed longer I might have become one of the kangaroos (Bullock Island Corner Inlet)
Looking for crayfish (Ritchies nature reserve Korumburra)
The sun on my back and a dog at my feet (Lake Narracan Newborough)
When the deep gully feels the fleeting brush of sunlight (Lyrebird nature reserve Mirboo North)
Balancing on a rock, with everything in my hands (including my life). Thomson dam from Mount Saint Gwinear
One tree hill (Korumburra from Bena)
The mushroom rocks (Mount Baw Baw national park)
Painting en plein air at Bullock Island. Courtesy Biodiversity Legacy Project.
Immersive exhibition elements
Earthsong was intended to create a rejuvenating gallery experience reminiscent of a walk in the bush. Considering how multiple senses could be activated by bringing the sounds and smells of nature into the gallery was an essential component.
Earth song audio
I created a sound-scape of recordings taken while painting en plein air around Gippsland. By layering over 70 short clips of frogs, birds, insects and water sounds I built a rolling, unobtrusive accompaniment to the exhibition that invited meditative listening and thoughtfulness.
Earthsong room scent
Created in collaboration with Cygnet perfumery, the Earthsong fragrance was designed to be reminiscent of broken bracken, petrichor and earth. Using patchouli, eucalyptus and white cypress, Sondrine and I crafted a calming essential oil blend to hold and transport gallery visitors to a deep gully, where tree ferns tower and damp earth supports abundant life.
‘The Door to the Forest (for Ellen Lyndon)’
Mural painted on entry door to Gallery 3 and Earthsong exhibition at Latrobe Regional Gallery. Ground earth pigment on primed internal solid timber door surface.
“Sky Mountains” 100x300cm, ground earth, charcoal and binder on canvas.
“Last Light” 180x150cm. Ground earth, copper verdigris, charcoal and binder on canvas.
Photos courtesy Latrobe Regional Gallery , Karli Duckett (The Good Side) and Sherise Oldham, SODA creatives.