Andrea Sexton
Small Kingdoms 1

Acrylic and ink on board

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ARTIST STATEMENT

This painting, created in acrylic and ink, is inspired by lichen growing on rocks at Lake Ōhau, Aotearoa. Lichen is both fragile and enduring — a symbiosis of fungus and algae that thrives in harsh alpine conditions. Its intricate patterns are like constellations on stone, small universes contained within the landscape. The shaky circle format reinforces this idea of a microcosm, a cycle of growth and renewal. By layering textures and tones, I wish to honour the overlooked beauty of lichen while reflecting on resilience, interconnection, and the hidden worlds that quietly shape our environment.