One (January)

Photograph of Mirka Mora exhibition at Heide Gallery, taken by Carol O'Connor

 

Here is Mirka Mora’s drawing of a rhythm. Or perhaps it’s a concrete poem. ONE-TWO-THREE-ONE-TWO-THREE (HARD) It could be the beach at Aspendale after a winter storm. Or perhaps the trees and chimneys of Richmond viewed from Pelaco Hill. Her first job after arrival in Melbourne was making shirtfronts at Georges in Collins Street, with a ONE-TWO-THREE-ONE-TWO-THREE. In her memoirs she complains how she came to speak in English while still thinking in French. The rhythms of her drawings are rythmes, curving and flourishing like free spirits running across the January beach, all wiggles and whoops, into the lovely water.