The work: Lyn Bartolo, Salty, 2020. Ink on paper, 81 x 113cm. Courtesy: the artist.
Hailing from the tropical north, Cairns-based artist Lyn Bartolo is deeply inspired by the wildlife of Queensland. She describes her practice as “giving animals a voice through art”, capturing the unique characteristics and personality of each of her sitters in highly detailed pen and ink drawings. In Salty, we are treated to a thrillingly personal view of a saltwater crocodile, whose toothy smile is rendered in acute detail. The artist has taken care to articulate every crease and crevice of the animal’s skin, producing a topographical map of heavily textured scales.
By using fine lines and a mostly monochromatic palette, Bartolo creates an image that has an almost mathematical sensitivity, bringing the prehistoric reptile solidly into the realm of the contemporary. It is the hope of the artist that, by locking eyes with an image of an animal that is both engaging and emotive, we will be moved to consider pressing issues surrounding conservation. In Bartolo’s words, “this piece may just unlock the secret to surviving extinction; being comfortable in your own skin and smiling.”