As the Dandenong Ranges Open Studio weekend is almost here, I thought that I would reflect on the art piece that I created for the group exhibition which will close on the 6th of May. (The image shown is a section of the work from one viewpoint.) The theme was a great inspiration for me to produce a work outside my comfort zone.
'What Lies Beneath the Lies' is an artwork made from translucent images painted with acrylic ink on nylon. The irony of using plastic in a work critical of the way we treat the environment is not lost on the me, but it was important to use transparency to indicate the fragile nature of environmental balance. The work consists of four parts.
The first layer is a cool temperate rainforest with its' lush greens representing the idea that the biosphere is a delicate, translucent layer that drapes our planet in a living breathing ecosystem; cycling water, nutrients and air whilst maintaining food, shelter and habitat for many animals, birds and insects.
The second layer is a veil of flimsy transparent lies that we tell ourselves because we are told that the destruction of the natural environment is regulated, kept at ‘acceptable levels’ and is necessary to keep the economy strong.
The third layer of vibrant reds represents drought fire and desert. Just beneath the surface; without rainfall, without vegetation; there is a drought-ridden land, prone to fire and desertification.
The fourth scrim represents the water of our blue planet. We seems to have a mindset that if we throw our rubbish and pollution into waterways, that it becomes someone else’s problem to deal with or that it will be diluted to nothing.
When viewed together the layers intermingle with the complexity of the issues of an over-exploited environment out of balance.
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