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No. 09Finalist · Noosa Art Prize 2026

Lobster Dual

Carol Croad

Runaway Bay, QLD

Transparent watercolour52 × 65 cm$1,625

Artist statement

In Lobster Dual, I explore the quiet tension between presence and connection through the mirrored forms of two live lobsters. Positioned in close proximity, their bodies almost intertwine, suggesting both harmony and subtle rivalry. Working in transparent watercolour allows me to build the lobsters’ shells through layered washes, capturing the luminous blues, violets, and soft earth tones that shift across their surfaces. I am drawn to the contrast between the delicacy of the medium and the hardness of the subject; the fluidity of pigment echoes the movement of water, while the articulated forms of claws and antennae speak of strength and resilience.

Light plays a central role, defining volume and texture while casting soft shadows that anchor the figures in space. By isolating the lobsters against a minimal background, I invite attention to their intricate structures and subtle colour variations, encouraging a closer, more contemplative viewing.

This work reflects my ongoing fascination with natural forms—how they embody both fragility and endurance—and how, through careful observation, even the most familiar subjects can reveal unexpected elegance and complexity.