HEADCASE - Nanami Cowdroy

HEADCASE is a collection inspired by the craziness in the world over the last 2-years and a desire to escape into the playfulness, curiosity and love of nature we feel as children.

Stuck inside and unable to travel, and being bombarded with daily images of illness, waste, displacement and suffering has turned many of us into ‘headcases’. Working as an artist on your own, in a private space can sometimes only add to this sense of anguish and isolation.

I’ve really needed to break away from an overwhelming sense of adult complexity and return to the simple essence and innocence of a child’s mind. In particular the innate, inquisitive and playful love we have for animals and nature.

I wanted to celebrate their purity of spirit and how animals live in the moment, and how drawn to this we are as children. I’ve loved watching animal and nature documentaries since I was a little girl, it has always stirred my curiosity and made me feel a sense of wonder.

As part of the creative process for these pieces, I studied photos of animals for hours (birds, bees, frogs, fish) after a while you start to see unique, individual characteristics emerging in their facial and body expressions (coyness, humour, confusion, happiness, sadness, fear). I’ve tried to reflect these subtle animal expressions through the mind of a curious child.

Headcase started from the helpless and trapped feelings of the last 2 years and became a way to heal and connect with a precious and hidden child within me.

Each Headcase piece took about 2+ months to create using graphite pencils, watercolours, pen, Japanese black & white ink on fine art watercolour, 100% cotton rag paper.

Born in Sydney Australia, my art is inspired by my mixed Japanese-European heritage. Growing up between such contrasting cultures and surroundings has greatly influenced the way I expresses myself. My name ‘Nanami’ means ‘Seven Seas’ in Japanese, with fluid lines and watery creatures often featuring in my artworks.

Mostly using a monochrome palette, I’m drawn to subjects which may on the surface seem delicate or fragile, but which I try to give strength and depth through my intricate pen drawing and ink painting techniques.

Tapping into my imagination, my fears, my loves, my environment and my memories - I enjoy creating elaborate images that mix cultural symbols, animals, landscapes, and objects in a pop-surreal context that may appear both foreign and familiar.

Join us for opening night of D/O.57 HEADCASE

Thursday April 28th from 6pm-8pm

HEADCASE will be on display from

April 27th through May 8th at Disorder Gallery