On the significance of regular local walking, and how ordinari observations (marvel at the small things) blog began
Explore the ‘ordinari observations’ blog archives 2009-2025 here.
As a Finn, the habit of wandering in the forest, gathering seasonal, edible harvest and small organic treasures, is in my blood. A migrant now living and working in the metropolis of Naarm/Melbourne, I crave being in nature – and have realised I approach my urban environment as if walking in the wilderness, too.
My regular, often twilight walks (before we had children, and later pushing the pram around late into the evening) in the local neighbourhood are the ritual from which ’ordinari observations’ blog developed from, sixteen years ago in 2009. This casual spotting of discarded small things on the pavements and laneways; photographing weather phenomena and following how gardens blossom and surfaces gradually rust, creates a sensitive connection with the natural world around the year.
In addition, walking is a meditative, grounding practice. Moving at a human pace calms down the mind while allowing the whole body to sense through sounds, scents, touch and the rhythm of steps and stops, often bringing intuitive solutions to creative problems. This regular moving around builds an intimate relationship with my neighbourhood, fostering a sense of home; of belonging to the geographic area and to the local community.
Observing and documenting the same area over a long period of time also builds larger, foundational arcs of understanding: the reviewing of my collection of images, memories and found objects illuminates my own inner landscapes as an artist, revealing how I see and think, pointing a way forward. Understanding the inevitable change that time brings to everything is also a beautiful reminder of adaptation, acceptance and letting go; of surrendering to the whole, to what is.
Several series of work have developed form what I’ve seen on my walks. Night falls over Brunswick series of jewellery describes the twilight shadows, skies and clouds above our suburb through concrete, enamel and glass. Brunswick series of photographs has documented the weather, light and small intimate details of my locality for well over a decade. Through Eye, the beholder images I’ve wanted to illuminate detail, colour and form beyond any classification; to point to how, by carefully inspecting what’s before us, an unexpected beauty of the most ordinary materials may begin to shine through, sparking new insights and connections. When we look carefully, beauty is everywhere.
Explore the ‘ordinari observations’ blog archives 2009-2025 here.
Recent blog entries
Friday 18 July 2025
Kuulumisia (Tidings, Ways of Belonging) exhibition in Lappeenranta, Finland
3.-25.8. 2025 Täky Galleria, Satamatie 10, Linnoitus, Lappeenranta, Finland.
Kuulumisia (a Finnish word play translating to ‘Tidings’ and ‘Ways of belonging’) exhibition introduces six internationally renowned Australian and Finnish contemporary artists, contemplating their personal relationship with place and time through objects, jewellery and painting. The artists …
Friday 18 July 2025
Radiant Pavilion 2021: ’New Spring, Old Gods’ – as part of IIb
DAY 1
This evolving presentation is an alternative (due to Covid-19) to a physical exhibition showing jewellery pieces, sketches and images. Updated daily with more material during the course of Radiant Pavilion, you’ll discover here some background, development and a limited edition of finished pieces from my most recent series of necklaces, New Spring, Old Gods.