News > News > Dr Dingle Opens New Fremantle Exhibition.

Dr Dingle Opens New Fremantle Exhibition.

NOT IN MY LIFETIME

Moores Building

Contemporary Art Gallery

December 5 - 14

M E D I A   R E L E A S E

November 28, 2008

Dr Peter Dingle to open exhibition on WA’s changing landscape

Internationally renowned scientist Dr Peter Dingle will open an exhibition tracking changes in natural landscape by three emerging WA artists, at the Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery, (46 Henry Street, Fremantle) next week.

Not In My Lifetime opens at 6pm on December 5 and will show daily until December 14.

Dr Peter Dingle is an Associate Professor in Health and Environment at Murdoch University whose work relates strongly on many levels to the three artists’ works which make-up the exhibition. 

The sculptures and paintings by Kerrie Argent, Lois Hayes and Tania Spencer reflect the rapid transformation of natural environment to a modern landscape.

Mrs Argent, who draws heavily on her rural environment for raw materials and inspiration, collected a trailer of plastic from her Lake Grace community to make a five metre-long slug.

“Plastics inhabit our lives like slugs do our gardens,” she said.

“Slugs leave a tell-tale shiny trail in their wake and plastic has the same impact as it trails into landfill or is left scattered through the environment.”

Mrs Argent said though plastic was convenient, most was not recyclable and would end up occupying precious land for hundreds of years.

“I can imagine vast amounts of waste changing our landscape, carving new valleys and hills to accommodate our love of plastic,” she said.

Lois Hayes uses painting and sculpture to document the changing face of Munday Swamp in Perth. Ms Hayes said she became disheartened after this area was turned from a natural habitat to an industrial hub.

“These feeding, breeding, lung-like wetlands were opened up to industry,” she said.

“The water in the soil was drained and redirected, leaving but a few artificial ponds for the remaining wildlife; even these are now filling up with rubbish and debris.”

Ms Hayes’ 14 works – mostly made of acrylic, wood, resin and cement – reflect her frustration at this process of suppression.

“Soon the original landscape will be lost to our consciousness forever,” she said.

The profusion of invasive plants in the State’s South West prompted Tania Spencer to explore how some species went from being prized garden plants to rampant weeds.

Mrs Spencer said Bridal Creeper, Arum Lily and Watsonia were first introduced for their sublime beauty, but it was their tough, insidious nature that gave them their stronghold in the native landscape. Her installations – large, looming hollow structures made of knitted wire – mimic this growth habit.

“These vigorous plants twist, tangle and choke their way to expansion; while underground, unseen, their tubers and corms endlessly multiply, displacing native species,” she said.

During the exhibition Mrs Spencer will continue to extend one of her sculptures, veiling the space in a knitted mat of wire – a reflection of the proliferation of Bridal Creeper.

CONTACTS:

            Images are available on request, contact

·         Sarah Allen on (08) 9864 9043 or email thesleepingtree@westnet.com.au

 For further information, contact

·         Kerrie Argent on (08) 9865 4042 or email kerriearg@hotmail.com

·         Tania Spencer on (08) 9865 1339 or email spencertania@hotmail.com

·         Lois Hayes on (08) 9299 7412 or email a-lhayes@westnet.com.au