Natural elements play a fundamental role in shaping and guiding my investigative process, as I delve deeply into exploring and questioning the often unseen, intricate relationships that exist within the environment. Through this exploration, I seek to uncover the hidden connections and subtle interactions that influence the natural world around us.I don’t focus on practical facts but let what can’t be seen take shape in space, showing its true form. Only then can we understand it in reality. We often look at objects, but do we notice the subject? Are we truly aware that everything around us is separate yet connected? Being aware means seeing and paying attention to what’s there. I tell my story using mythical symbols, whether on a large canvas or in children’s books. I believe the unknown matters more than the known because it sparks our dreams and intuition. Through dreams, we explore beyond the surface.
Patrick Shirvington explores his connection to nature through drawing, seeing it as a key to think and discover what isn't visible.
‘I don’t look for practical realities, but rather allow the unseen to present itself spatially, displaying its own authenticity as a poignant delineated form. Then and only then …can it be seen in light of reality.
We tend to look at the object, however, do we see the subject?
Are we truly conscious of all that is around us as separate entities that come together to become one? Awareness of our environs involves cognition, in other words, seeing and taking notice of the things that are around us.
I tell my story with mythical symbols, whether from the brush on a large canvas to the more intimate illustrations in children’s books, I feel the unknown is more important than the known, as it awakens our dreams and intuition.
Through our dreams we delve deeper than the mere surface. To gain a deeper understanding of the world is to perceive it more clearly and to hold a greater respect for its complexity and diversity.
Patrick Shirvington is an accomplished children’s book illustratoR. He has a Master of Cross Disciplinary Art and Design UNSW MCDArtDes. His picture book, Can You find Me ?, written by Dr Gordon Winch, was shortlisted for the Wilderness Society Environment Award for Picture Books (Australia), a CBCA Notable book, with Patrick being nominated for the Crichton award for illustration. Patrick’s books have now been published worldwide, including translation into Chinese. With his fifth book Three Dancing Frogs being released November 2020.
Shirvington’s animals, real and imaginary, are rendered with much attention to detail and personality. They are not props. They are there to say something larger and to be characters in his new drawing tale. Plucked from the past and perhaps existing in his dreams, they are thrust into the present with selfless devotion.
Joseph Eisenberg OAM Emeritus Cultural Director Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Shirvington is poetic and whimsical, Shirvington’s facility for witty and charming drawings brings many such vignettes to life.
Dr Christopher Allen National art critic for The Australian
Responding to seasonal changes in the landscape. Patrick Shirvington’s studies of the local environs, with intensified frenzy, pushes the markings, scribbles and scratches of the tree to the surface ground that emulates the feel and smell of the bush.
Rhonda Davis – ‘Arboreal’, Macquarie University Art Gallery.
Patrick Shirvington’s interest is predominantly with nature and the environment. Being loyal to the landscape, he is always moving into new territories.
Kath von Witt – Hawkesbury Regional Gallery.