Return To Innocence by Mary-ann Alyson Long

Features

ARTIST NOTES: This is for my mom. I wanted to express the unfettered freedom and uncorrupted innocence of a child's mind to see images, colours, perfection in imperfection, even glimpses of the boogeyman... in absolutely anything. As the painting evolved, I gave it over to my inner child. Now comes the personally profound side bar: in 2014, my precious mom returned to heaven from where she came. Always the incomparable child-at-heart, and devout Catholic, she taught me to see all of humanity as one glorious colourful masterpiece; no divides, save intolerance for cruelty and stunted, mis-learned views on which stitches should be pulled out of humanity's social fabric (for example: same sex marriages). Proudly do I give my voice to that cause. We all fight for love. Having said that, there is a Care Bear in this painting, if you free your mind to look (courtesy of my mom; she loved those stuffed toys). I asked her 'to contribute'... I got up the next morning and there it was... revealed in the shapes. (Just look into your heart my friend; That will be the return to yourself. The return to innocence. If you want, then start to laugh. If you must, then start to cry. Be yourself - don't hide, just believe in destiny. Don't care what people say. Just follow your own way. Don't give up; And use the chance to return to innocence. (Thank You Enigma).

DIMENSIONS (Height - 105.00 cm X Width - 80.00 cm )
MEDIUM ON BASE Oil on Stretched Canvas
GENRE Contemporary
REGISTERED NRN # 000-2581-0178-01
COPYRIGHT © Mary-ann Alyson Long
PRIZES AND AWARDS No Awards
STATUS
View At Home

 

Other images
 

Artist: Mary-ann Alyson Long



ARTIST BIO

Largely self-taught, Mary-Ann Alyson Long is a multi-disciplined hobby artist, emerging. Her background is in Advertising and Graphic Design.

Ranging from abstract to contemporary to impressionist, her works include paintings in acrylics and oils, cementitious clay sculptures, and mosaic murals incorporating mixed-media and steel.

Not afraid to experiment, her expression revolves around the essence of life, the beauty of spirit undefeated, and the quiet courage that often goes unsung. Depicted in a voice of buoyancy and lush colours, as spoken from the innocence of a child. Hers is a juxtaposition of introspection with light-hearted naïveté, even playful whimsy.

Mary-Ann Alyson Long has exhibited in numerous Art Shows in Victoria since 2013, including the iconic Linden Postcard Show.

In 2025, she was awarded Best Sculpture In Show ($750 prize money) at the Kilmore Art Expo 2025 for her piece entitled Ragazza Ombrello.

Her works are emerging in both private and public spaces, with some of her paintings and sculptures finding permanent homes internationally.

Installed in 2020, Mary-Ann Alyson has a 2.5m wide x 1.2m high mixed-media mosaic mural entitled Indigenuity on public display at The Broadford Living & Learning Centre run by the Mitchell Shire Council in Broadford, Victoria. Apart from newspaper coverage, Indigenuity has been listed Public Art in Melbourne Playgrounds.

She signs her work as MALtreatment - a portmanteau of her initials and her brand of creativity.

Ever since she was old enough to hold a piece of chalk in her hand, was she compelled to vandalise and doodle all over her mom's kitchen walls and cabinetry - to her mom's patiently loving dilemma. MALtreatment is a 'strange-ling', being of English-Portuguese, Spanish-Irish parents. And she admits that her chalks in the cheese was largely fueled by an over-active imagination and the simple act of being the youngest child in a family of 5 brothers and 2 sisters with the age difference spanning between 4 and 16 years. 

In those formative years, her fascination was heavily influenced by her brothers’ sizeable collection of Marvel and DC comics, Frank Morrison, and with undying particular fondness – the zany, witty, uncontrollable illustrative genius of MAD Magazine.

But more definitively, the playful minds of Juan Garcïa Ripollés, Mirka Mora, Del Kathryn Barton never cease to inspire and push.