An exhibition by Shepparton artist Amanda Hocking of her 2020 work.
 

Pareidolia explores the joy found in the tendency for perception to impose a meaningful interpretation on a nebulous stimulus, usually visual, so that one sees an object, pattern or meaning where in fact there is none.
 

“During 2020 I experienced a wide sweep of emotions. The pain caused by the recent loss of my sister was distracted by the soft turbulence of autumn leaves. Anxiety, imposed by covid solitude, was soothed by the sighing of nature as she rested and drew breath, free of pollution and the white noise of humanity.  Sometimes, just observing the clouds, as they formed and reformed or watching the tiny wrens, flitting through patterns of flight would calm my scattered thoughts. Bring peace and order to where there was none. During this period of human disquiet, I explored a similar therapeutic process through adopting a more abstract art practice.
 

This change of direction brought a great deal of solace in an inflammatory time. I have had my fun and found my joy. Now it is your turn, as the viewer, to play with your senses and follow your own Pareidolia.”