When Curator Josh Thomason first conceived of the gallery’s latest exhibition ‘Remnants’ he never imagined the opening would be a celebration of survival of the worst bushfires in memory.
The exhibition opening brought together artists and art lovers from throughout the region all at once horrified and relieved now that the fires were under control.
Thomason drew together an amazing array of works by, from Tony Windberg’s photorealistic paintings to Lori Pensini’s whimsical images inspired by indigenous culture, its people, animals and land.
Galliano Fardin’s meditative works inspired by the tuart forests around his home were delivered to the gallery amid a forced evacuation from his home and a three-day stay in an evacuation centre.
Kim Perrier’s monumental sculpture ‘Ashes to Ashes’, fresh from a People’s Choice win at Bondi Sculpture by the Sea, was particularly poignant as were John Austin’s haunting photographic works.
During the opening of the exhibition, Greens Senator Scott Ludlam praised the artists for their important role in raising awareness of the treatment of our environment and the remnant forest that survives.
After the terrible fires of the last couple of weeks, the destruction to lives and our built environment, the Remnants exhibition is a timely reminder of the need to protect what we have.
Remnants is on show until Sunday, 21 February.