The WTF art exhibition continues in the Old Butter Factory Art Space with a steady stream of people attending this free exhibition.
With a focus on What’s Their Future and how decisions made today impact generations to come, one exhibitor is nine-year-old Anna Lowe.
Her artwork, called One Lifetime, has been sold and features a colourful collage reflecting her concerns for the Great Barrier Reef and aquatic life.
“I live in Far North Queensland, besides the Great Barrier Reef. When I snorkel, I see pockets of dead reef that have been bleached by rising sea temperatures,” Anna said.
“I see rubbish caught between rocks, tangles of old fishing nets on the sea floor, and coral broken by boats, anchors, and flippers.
“I love turtles, and I visit them in a hospital on Fitzroy Island. Nearly all the turtles being cared for there are suffering floating syndrome. This condition occurs when a turtle eats plastic that it has mistaken for a jellyfish. The plastic creates air pockets inside the turtle’s stomach which stop it being able to dive for sea grass.
“The turtle floats on the water’s surface, baking in the sun, as it starves to death. My art tells the story of a young girl snorkelling on a healthy reef, but when she returns to the same spot as an old lady, the reef is no longer recognisable. I wonder what the reef will look like when I am old.”
Other works include award winning artists such as Linden Dean, Dawn Stubbs, Chris Stubbs and Catherine van Wilgenburg.
Catherine’s bark portrait of Bruce Pascoe is particularly large and, like the other artworks, generates considerable discussion.
Sculpture, textile and other mediums are featured.
Evidence based information about climate change is also on hand.
A helpful take home card is available for those attending, which outlines simple and achievable steps everyone can take to both reduce their carbon footprint and influence policy change.
While people can feel disheartened, it’s important to recall the comment “But what can I do, said seven billion people”.
The art show continues until April 2, and all are welcome to drop by.
Hosting this is the East Gippsland Climate Action Network, with their Facebook page providing information around open hours.
