Lindi Forde’s abstracts encompass a delicate combination of stillness and surprise. Using fluctuating tones, daring line work and gestural brushstrokes, her works revere colour and fluidity in a manner that is prominent and composed, yet never excessive.

Progressing steadily into the visual arts without actively trying, Lindi was the inaugural chairman of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society’s Yarra branch, before founding her own business Artevent Pty Ltd. After managing events with guest artists Lindi changed tact and enrolled at Photography Studies College in South Melbourne, completing a Bachelor of Photography then a Certificate in Creative Practice from the Victorian College of the Arts.

A course in Abstract Art, followed by a Master Class in Abstraction was the catalyst to Lindi becoming an abstract artist. At the canvas, Lindi paints intuitively, merging newly found techniques and creative problem solving. Working in a visual diary also fuels Lindi’s inquiry and experimentation.

Lindi has exhibited in group and solo shows within Victoria and New South Wales since 2011. Her photography and artworks have been appearing in publications since 2008. She lives on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

A lifetime of varied experiences and observations combined with a freedom to explore ways in which to express herself in art and abstraction, provide the scaffolding on which Lindi’s art practice is built. As well, an interest in who we are, our daily connection to community and our awareness of the world around us are themes which underpin Lindi’s art making.

Lindi does not seek to tell a specific story or address a particular topic in her work. Her work takes a less strident style and responds to her keen sense of curiosity and experimentation, materials and surface. Producing her works on either linen or paper, Lindi’s abstracts incorporate fluctuating colour work that ranges from bright and bold, to muted and discreet. These tones are inspired by contemporary design, environmental inspirations or a predilection for a particular colour, indigo for example, or the clashing of reds, hot pinks and orange.

Lindi works with pencil, wax crayon, collage and acrylic paint. These fusions of colour are deposited in a process that is, for the most part, intuitive and intrepid. Rambling lines drawn with her non-dominant hand give the first layer. Gestural brushstrokes follow to create an assemblage of fortuitous circles, strokes, dots, dashes and flickering marks and subtle paint spots. Sometimes, painted portions of paper are applied and removed to provide residual shaping and texture.

A search for harmony and rhythm brings a work to completion. This may be achieved through a cacophony of dissenting marks pushing against the already smooth unity of the work. A minute detail, an insignificant dot for example, often provides a final resting note.