The Rock
By Koula Pratsis
Artist Bio
Koula Pratsis is an emerging artist based in Perth, Western Australia, whose work spans abstract painting, mixed media art, and photography. Originally from Cyprus, Koula became a war refugee in 1974 and migrated to Australia.
 
 Despite facing language barriers and discrimination, she achieved a remarkable milestone in 1995 by becoming the first female orthopaedic surgeon in Western Australia. Koula’s artistic journey began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing locum orthopaedic services to Kalgoorlie Hospital, WA. The isolation allowed her time for introspection and sparked her love for artistic expression.
Artist Statement / Description of artwork
‘The Rock’ is part of the ‘Reflections of Paper’ series, an abstract macro photography exploration of light interacting with the folds and sides of crumpled paper, illuminating nature’s exquisite artistry. This collection presents a visual journey into the abstract, where light dances on paper's canvas, unveiling intricate patterns, textures, and forms that often remain concealed.
 
 Inspired by the evolving creases in scrunched paper, I sought to replicate this phenomenon with an artistic twist. The transformation of paper under varying light conditions, folding techniques, and crumpling methods intrigued me.
 
 My aim was to encapsulate the paper’s emotive essence, using tonal variations and contrasts to evoke distinct feelings. Through my photographs, I strive to portray the paper’s inherent character and spirit without using filters or generative AI.
 
 “Reflections of Paper” invites viewers to delve deeper, uncovering the extraordinary beauty hidden within the ordinary.