Petra Cortright
Interview by Lila Daly-Hyatt
Not many painters can say that they have every brushstroke they have ever made — but artist Petra Cortright can.
A leading figure in digital painting and the “Post-Internet Art” movement, Los Angeles-based artist Petra Cortright brings her distinctive painting approach to Sydney for the first time with her solo exhibition shot silk wave star weep crush jet win, showing at 1301SW until the 22nd of August.
Rising to prominence through self-portrait webcam videos posted to YouTube, Cortright is known for her detailed digital paintings, created in Photoshop using painting software, image manipulation, and brushstrokes made on her Wacom tablet. Working with layered digital files which can evolve endlessly, Cortright’s works are responsive and atmospheric, often attuned to the geography of a particular place. With a subtle nautical theme, her first exhibition in Sydney responds to the shared coastal landscapes of Australia and Southern California.