By Kristy Henderson
Inspired by the impacts of, and the recovery process that followed, the 2009 Victorian bushfires the exhibition ‘Emergence – art on the move’, currently on display in the Atrium at Federation Square, is both sobering and uplifting. It is a testament to the diverse challenges and emotions that confronted bushfire-affected communities in the wake of the fires.
Combined, the artworks reflect on all facets of the fires, from the indiscriminate scorching of forests, and the spirited rejuvenation that followed as Eucalypts and ferns recovered, to the trials and tribulations – and the decisions – that had to be made as people took up the task of rebuilding. This exhibition honours all that was lost in the fires, whilst also celebrating the resilience of nature and of people and their communities, even as deep scars remain, both in the landscape and in people’s hearts.
Linda Haggars’ dramatic piece, ‘Red Tape II’, confronts the challenges faced by those made homeless by the fires and the bureaucratic delays that beset the reconstruction effort. Her artwork depicts blackened trees with red ribbons encircling; personal stories, reflections and questions are also scrawled across the canvas. In contrast, Janet Hayes’s piece, which depicts a lyrebird whose feathers are replaced with painted photos of community meetings and get togethers, pays homage to community spirit – to the power of co-operation and the strength of those undergoing the long road to recovery.
This exhibition takes viewers into the hearts and minds of bushfire-affected communities. It constructs a mixed narrative that communicates the stories that after the front passed were etched into the landscape and into the memories of those who survived. Libby Witchall’s piece, which depicts a burnt hillside with crows scavenging, the red paint of the Earth dripping off the page like blood, left me feeling soulful. John Sharp’s etching ‘Serenity’ had a similar impact – is peace possible after such tragedy? Certainly, there are some hopeful signs as Marlyse Carroll’s ‘Phoenix’ joyfully celebrates.
As bushfires are set to become both more frequent and more intense as a result of climate change, even despite the recent wet summer, the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world will become an increasingly conscious part of our lives and livelihoods. This exhibition challenges this relationship, and in many instances nourishes it, as nature is represented as both an overpowering and chaotic force, as well as a source of sustenance and renewal. It provides a window into our future - into the experiences more of us are likely to encounter - as the delicate ecological balance, which allows us to live as we do, teeters on the brink.
The exhibition is showing at Federation Square till February 13th. Symbols of Recovery and Loss, another art exhibition covering the themes of the 2009 bushfires, is also showing at Monsalvat from February 3rd to April 3rd.
For more information go to www.emergence2011.com
