Encaustic

An ancient medium with a contemporary voice.

Encaustic is a painting medium with a history spanning more than 2,000 years. Made from natural beeswax, damar resin and artist pigments, it is celebrated for its extraordinary luminosity, depth and versatility.

Applied with brushes while molten, the pigmented wax is built up in layers, each fused with heat. The surface can be painted, scraped back, refined and reworked, revealing subtle variations in colour, texture and light.

For me, encaustic offers a remarkable balance of control and possibility. It brings together the considered language of painting with a physical, tactile quality that extends naturally into my sculptural practice.

Its natural origins also resonate with my interest in the Australian environment and a thoughtful approach to materials and sustainability.

Despite its delicate appearance, encaustic is remarkably durable. From the ancient Fayum portraits to contemporary painting and sculpture, its lasting presence speaks to the beauty and resilience of this extraordinary medium.

Notable Mentions

• The Fayum Portraits, 1st century BCE-3rd century CE, Roman Egypt. Painted by Greek-trained artists. Held in major collections including the British Museum and the Lourve.

• Creation, Diego Rivera, 1922-23. Museo Mural Diego Rivera, Mexico City.

• Flag, Jasper Johns, 1954-55. Museum of Modern Art, (MoMA), New York.

• After Jack, Jenny Sages, 2012. National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

• Carly Le Cerf, Western Australian artist, currently represented by Michael Reid Gallery Sydney-Berlin