Wagin artist Joyce Contos explores colour, landscape and concerns in mystic Salt Lake Country exhibition

A new exhibition exploring landscape, colour and change and showcasing the work of Narrogin artist Joyce Contos has arrived at Arts Narrogin. Contos’ ethereal salt lake landscapes capture environmental beauty and concern through oils, acrylic and mixed-media. Salt Lake Country was opened on April 4 by Cuballing artist Peter Denton, who has previously exhibited with Contos. “Joyce has got a long and vibrant history in the arts,” he said. “Joyce studied art six years part-time, initially achieving an advanced certificate in art design at Midland TAFE. “She furthered her art path, achieving a masters in art therapy in 2002.” As a counsellor, Contos regularly travels through the Wheatbelt and the salt lakes of Hyden and Wagin feature in her collection. One work, Salt Lines, is an acrylic depiction of a salt lake on Rottnest Island. Contos’ paintings capture the unique pinks and otherworldly atmospheres of the salt lakes, sometimes incorporating textiles and paper mache. “I’m probably quite addicted to painting,” Contos said. “I just love the paint, I love pushing it around, I particularly love using a pallet knife. You can really work fast with it and I’m looking forward to doing more of that because our next topic is going to be rocks in October and I’ve got lots of material. “I’ve been doing little trips up to Karijini, around to Central Australia, down across the Nullarbor, the cliffs — I’ve got plenty of material to work with.” The range of approaches to her subject makes for a compelling exhibition. “I paint to thrive,” Contos said. “I enjoy it so much.” Salt Lake Country is open to the public from 10am to 4pm Tuesdays to Thursdays until April 24.