Corroboree of Life

Microscopic - Corroboree of Life is looking at various formations under the water, transitioning to land (bright orange form). Up close, the coral reefs carry various textures of corals and sponges that one would see on the reef (brain corals, fan corals, polyps, limpets, barnacles, etc). The orange land is represented by beach side grains, and large dots, representing rocks.

Telescopic – When looking down upon the Great Barrier Reef, you are greeted with vibrant bluish colours and lovely textures. I painted from an aerial point of view, trying to capture the unusual forms underwater. However, I played with the idea of some of the reef emerging, as the white dots (wave/foam line) seem to suggest that the reef is above water. This is so we can see details above the water's surface. Progressing to the right, I started painting orange rocky reefs that suggest bays and islands, eventually leading to a rock-poolish looking landscape, then to sands; a hint of the rusty landscape of Australia (and the next artwork).

The black line separating the underwater reefs or islands were to represent deep see trenches, the idea of there being layers of islands above the water and below the water (tectonic plates). Contour lines you see on a map are suggested by the various shades of blue in this work.

Kaleidoscopic – The colours, patterns, texture and shape in this painting is to celebrate the wonders and complexities that are revealed in the small things, and simplicities in the big things. The colours are festive, to express the youth of this mysterious, dreamy creation.

The scriptures: “And God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.” (Gen 1:9-10)

Various forms of life come from the reef. The black trench pattern consists of one line that runs all the way from the tops to the bottoms of the painting.

Acrylic on canvas, 2.2m high x 1.2m wide