THE TRAVELLER’S LENS by Balmain artist Sue Hanckel is an exhibition about travel, myth and memory. Sue’s travel artworks are energetic and vibrant, catching changing light and passing vistas. They were created en plein air – at sea in the Mediterranean, seated overlooking summer vineyards in Provence, surrounded by the rocky cliffs in Ormiston Gorge. Her preferred art materials are easily portable and quick to dry – gouache, Sennelier oil pastels, iridescent inks, charcoal and Indian ink.

In Balmain Watch House’s gallery the en plein air images are hung with Sue’s new works of imagined journeys. In the Charge Room there are unique collaged prints named after the stars that form the Sidereal Rose Compass and transcriptions of woodblocks from 18th century Admiralty navigation charts. Engraved glass scientific vessels frame the flowering jacaranda through the front window. In one of the small former lockup rooms, the iridescent gold-inked prints of trees fill the walls. In the other lockup there are scudding clouds, coral and leaves drawn in white chalk on cyanotype envelopes. The rear cell is stunning with Sue’s small travel artworks – vivid and full of light.

The artist will be at the gallery for the entire exhibition. So take the time to travel with these unique vistas. Or make an appointment to visit her Balmain studio.