Looking for “A Sense of Place”

“A Sense of Place” is a new exhibition by artist Carla Van Laar at the Inverloch Community Hub in March.

Many of Carla's artworks are painted in Boon Wurrung Country in and around Inverloch.

"My painting practice is deeply connected to my sense of being in relationship with the living world that I inhabit and that sustains all life,” she explained.

“When I am painting, I am participating in the act of creation that is the nature of the universe. In these ways, being in intimate communication with the environment, through the contemplative process of painting, is a life sustaining and spiritual practice.

“I hope that some trace of the sense of each place, and the creative life energy of the universe, remains in every painting I make, and that the artworks transmit this energy to others as part of their ongoing purpose in life."

Carla has exhibited her artworks consistently since 1990, and her artworks are held in private collections as well as the collections of the National Australia Bank and RMIT University.

She has over 30 years’ experience working with people and the arts for health and well-being in community organisations, justice, health and education contexts.

Carla’s first book “Bereaved Mother’s Heart” was published in 2007 and broke social taboos about maternal grief.

From 2008-18 she established and ran an independent art therapy studio and gallery in Melbourne. Her Doctoral research “Seeing Her Stories” continues the mission to make women’s stories visible, through art.

Carla has lectured and supervised Art Therapy students at RMIT, MIECAT and currently the IKON Institute. In 2018 she received an Artist Fellowship at RMIT’s creative research lab, “Creative Agency”. 

“A Sense of Place” exhibition runs from March 2 – 31 March at the Inverloch Community Hub, 16 A’Beckett Street. Open seven days from 10am – 4pm