lily barnett
“There's so much beauty and diversity under the water here on the Great Southern Reef”
Tasmanian artist Lily Barnett hopes by sharing her paintings and photos of the land and sea that other people can find comfort in them during times when they need their own solace.
Her artist name “Southern Solace” was formed during Tasmania's first covid19 lockdown.
""Like many other people I had found myself very suddenly unemployed, and on a seemingly never-ending house arrest. Painting the beautiful fish we could no longer catch or swim with was a way for me to bring a bit of normality, comfort and beauty back into my life. I had never touched watercolour before, but painting fish with watercolour just seemed so right.”
Seeking solace
Since that initial lockdown our life has very much returned to normal. I am back at my old job, and we can go fishing, diving, bushwalking and camping with no restrictions. I know, however, that life for many people around Australia and the world is still a life of lockdown and a separation from nature.
My hope with sharing my paintings and photos of the land and sea that we get to interact with and appreciate daily, was that other people could find comfort in them during times when they need their own solace.
Incredible wildlife encounters
The coast of lutruwita/Tasmania is one of the only places on the GSR I've had the privilege of snorkelling in. Southern Tasmania specifically is where I have spent countless hours exploring by boat, so perhaps I'm biased when I say that area is my favourite. It will always hold a special place in my heart for all the incredible wildlife encounters I've had there with whales, dolphins, albatross, sunfish, orca, eagle rays, sharks and more.
In 2022 Lily was able to visit the Great Southern Reef nearly every day through her day job in tourism, or snorkeling on the coast.
“I had an incredibly close encounter with a southern right whale, swam with a few different colonies of long-nosed fur seals, and finally got to see a boarfish and an octopus with my very own eyes.
Neither of them was quite as inquisitive with me as I've heard they can be, but I hope to have more encounters with their species in the future.”
Inspired by the sea
Being on the water most days Lilly has also noticed the odd strand of macrocystis (giant kelp) growing in areas where it hadn't previously.
“It is inspiring to see it growing against the odds, and a big win for those who are directly contributing to regeneration projects.”
For the coming year the list of paintings she want to complete is growing, and to get inspiration she’s keen to spend more time under the sea.
“I hope to find more octopus, different fish species and weedy sea dragons ~ and what I find, I'll be painting!”
“There's so much beauty and diversity under the water here on the Great Southern Reef, especially here on the Tasman Peninsula, and up until this point I haven't explored anywhere near enough of it.
Learn about more passionate photographers and artists inspired by the Great Southern Reef.
