The featured works are inspired by the patterns and rhythms of the north-east Victorian landscape.
Ms Mullarvey said the methods she used allowed her to capture the beauty, harshness and fragility of the country.
“I often collect foliage from the roadside, which I ink and transfer the image to paper,” Ms Mullarvey said.
“This process allows me to play with themes of transience and impermanence, capturing a moment in time before the beauty fades and disappears into the undergrowth.”
Having majored in painting and printmaking Ms Mullarvey said she was particularly drawn to printmaking because of the process.
“It’s physical, it’s messy, it’s making decisions as to whether a particular artwork would be best as a collagraph, relief print, intaglio, monoprint or a combination of methods,“ she said.
“It’s the paper, it’s the constant editing of layers, it’s the challenge of not knowing what the result will be until that magical moment when you lift the paper from the matrix you have created.”
Benalla Art Gallery director Eric Nash said he was particularly excited for Ms Mullarvey’s artist talk, which will be held (today) on Wednesday, June 22.
“This is a great opportunity to not only present the work of one of our talented artists, but to learn more about her history and practice,” Mr Nash said.
“Joan will share collagraph plates, so audience members can closely view them and understand more about how she creates the textural surfaces.”
In January, Benalla Art Gallery announced a process for artists of the region to apply for rotational, monthly exhibitions in the Gallery Shop glass cabinets.
The new program is designed to better promote and support local and regional creative practices.
Ms Mullarvey’s exhibition follows previous ones by Pauline Fraser, Maggie Hollins, Lorna Hobbs, and Susie Buykx.
If you would like to apply to have your work displayed in the gallery shop, visit benallaartgallery.com.au
