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About the artwork
Listen to the artist statement for Glow at the Horizon
My painting depicts an intense, colourful sunset over a body of water. The reflection of the sunset on the water portrays a sense of balance and grounding, showing that even amidst intensity, there can be stillness and clarity.
The sky blazes with soft oranges, deep blue, and teal green — colours that echo the way my senses experience the world: vivid, layered, sometimes overwhelming, but still possessing beauty.
The stretching rays of the sunset symbolize beauty, hope and harmony. It is a reminder that there is a light that can be found, even amongst the chaos in this world.
By using a rich tapestry of colours in this artwork, I also wanted to emphasize the grandeur of nature, its beauty and spiritual significance to me.
The use of the water-mixable oil paints with their depth, texture, and colours that can easily blend, allowed me to bring the sky and water to life with a unique richness. The slow drying time of oils also allowed me to constantly layer, adjust, and experiment with colours and helped to build my confidence in the use of this medium.
This piece is a celebration of “Living My Best Life” as well as the beauty and the spiritual significance of nature. It symbolizes the promise of hope and new beginnings.
About the artist - Holly Denman
My name is Holly Denman and I recently turned 23 years old. I was diagnosed with autism when I was 2 ½ and was later diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder and OCD.
I graduated from the University of Tasmania in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Design Degree, majoring in digital design.
During my time there, I chose painting for some of my elective units, which helped me develop a strong interest in painting, which ties back to this project.
I am looking to step out of my comfort zone and get myself more known within the art world.