Belinda Street

Belinda Street’s series of abstract paintings emerged from her 2023 artist residency at Nobby’s Whibayganba Lighthouse in Newcastle, Australia. The harbour, alive with the same vivacious energy as the brushstrokes in Street’s paintings, was teeming with colossal cargo ships, tugboats, ferries, recreational vessels, and the hum of industry all flow in and out, creating an unrelenting rhythm. This energy, both human and mechanical, collides with the wild, elemental force of the coastline and became the main inspiration behind this body of work.

Frenetic and intuitive brush strokes are layered over meditative linear gestures mirroring tides, movement, and time. Street’s instinctual marks are complemented by an intuitive use of vibrant colour which reflects elements of the harbour; red and black coal ships, the white and green of the lighthouse, the navy-blue tugboats, the orange navigation signs, the grey and yellow of industry, alongside the colours of the natural environment.