Episode 227 – Ana Pollak: Art Inspired by Dangar Island and the Natural World

Send us a textIn this episode of the Art Wank Podcast, we talk with acclaimed Australian artist Ana Pollak, whose practice is shaped by the natural beauty and quiet rhythms of Dangar Island, her home on the Hawkesbury River. Ana’s work evokes a strong sense of place, combining close observation with an intimate emotional connection to her surroundings. Her drawings and paintings capture shifting light on water, the textures of flora and foliage, and the subtle human gestures that weave themselves into the landscape. We explore Ana’s creative journey, tracing her path from early influences to the development of her distinctive style, one that combines expressive mark-making with a keen awareness of environmental and social themes. The conversation also touches on her animation projects, which incorporate water and raindrops, and are further inspired by music. We also explore Ana’s involvement in Six Artists Seven Days On at Defiance Gallery, where she joined five other artists for an intensive week of creation. She reflects on the collaborative energy, the challenges of producing work in such a short timeframe, and how the process influenced the direction of her art. The exhibition is on view until 23 August 2025.The project began in July 2024, when six artists embarked on what they described as a life-defining experience. The invited residency artists—Sophie Cape, Nicolette Eisdell, Pamela Honeyfield, Michelle Hungerford, Charmaine Pike, and Ana Pollak—were accompanied by filmmakers Kathryn Milliss ACS and Anna Howard ACS, along with arts writer John McDonald. This exhibition is the culmination of that residency, marking the final expedition in a ten-year initiative to connect artists with country and foster environmental awareness in a unique and powerful way.Over the past twelve years, with the support of the Ferris Family Foundation, Defiance Gallery has coordinated four residencies, raising an extraordinary $750,000 through exhibition sales. With this fifth and final exhibition, the goal is to reach a total of $1,000,000 in donations to support the vital conservation work of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.This conversation offers a glimpse into Ana Pollak’s practice, her connection to place, and her ongoing fascination with her environment. Ana’s work invites us to pause and notice the beauty in the moments that surround us.

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