Two Bellarine artists’ new exhibition, Consequences, makes an environmental statement on how invasive species affect the land.
Painter Linda Gallus and ceramicist Kaye Clancy will showcase their artworks at Ocean Grove’s The Hive Gallery from June 30 to July 30, with a free public opening on Saturday, July 1, from 2pm to 4pm.
Ms Gallus said she had been exploring the Bellarine’s remaining vegetation to understand the consequences of European settlement and was “proud” of “every single one” of her paintings.
“I knew that I had to have 10, and I did them all almost all the same time,” she said.
“I was looking at these romantic painters because their skies are incredible, and then at the same time, we’ve had La Nina; wet weather, dramatic skies, and greenery everywhere.
“It’s not about sales, it’s about expressing ourselves and being brave enough to actually put things out there because people are pretty harsh critics, and you have to be really brave to exhibit.”
Ms Clancy is a descendant of the Bangerang people from South Eastern Australia and said her ceramic figureheads would be positioned like the early settlement ships.
She said she liked how the exhibition made “a statement about what’s happened” in the past when the Europeans came to Australia.
“We wanted to make a statement, but we didn’t want to be aggressive or political about it. Just to make you think,” she said.
“I started thinking about all the stuff they brought out in those boats and how these figureheads led the way through the water; they symbolised everything else that was coming.
“I love the pieces and I love the colours and we’ve got funny names and I absolutely love making them, but I’m proud to bring it to people’s attention.”
