Bugs Galore: Kaye Johnston exhibition in Nowra

‘Climate Change: Collaroy Reality’

Opening at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra on Saturday, 10 November, is an exhibition of recent works from Kaye Johnston, a contemporary artist based in Kangaroo Valley.

Johnston’s practice ranges from abstract and abstracted landscape paintings in oils, to sculptural works, conceptual photography and her bug pictures.

Before the launch gets underway on 10 November, there will be an In Conversation event featuring Johnston with other exhibiting artists, 11am to 12noon.

Front featured image: ‘Antarctica Ice Melting’

Antarctica is melting and sea waters are rising due to Climate Change. Life is in a delicate balance. How will life survive? How will bugs survive?

Bugs in this picture are Wobble Bugs, the red thin ones, who release spores to the universe, Diode Bugs the pink bugs (with lots of pubic hair which helps propel them through air and water). They are prolific breeders and can be found in large groups often in rural and industrial sites. They can be easily upset. Widgett Bugs the thin yellow ones, which can appear and disappear in a flash, Unicellular and Rock Bugs and Checker Bugs (the happy bugs who are always looking for a game).

‘Climate Change: Collaroy Reality’

In 2016 a wild storm caused the seas at Collaroy/Narrabeen (east coast of NSW) to break over the coast and wash away some parts of the houses that were on the edge of the beach. The surf club and a few houses were damaged extensively. One swimming pool was washed away from a house. There was a big debate as to how to prevent this from happening again by building rock walls. Aerial views of the coast showed just how close the damage to the coast was to the Pacific Highway. That will be impacted one day.

Down the south coast at Shoalhaven Heads, Bawley Point and other beaches there is still evidence of this storm and the sea rising from climate change. The hind dune areas have been extensively damaged pushing the new edge back by about two or three metres. Some beaches are being made inaccessible. The high water covers the buildings in this picture. Two swimming pools have been washed away and lie beneath the sea as well as a lounge.

Bugs in this picture are Flying Cross Bugs (these are very angry bugs. The zigzag pattern is usually a bright red, an evolutionary adaptation to scare off predators) Wobble Bugs, the red thin ones, release spores to the universe. Rock Bugs are stony-faced creatures that sit or stand around, in all locations. They are the silent observers. Diode Bugs are the pink bugs with lots of pubic hair which helps propel them through air and water. They are prolific breeders and can be found in large groups often in rural and industrial sites. They can be easily upset.

‘Cave Art Sales’

Art is a commodity to be bought and sold, even cave art, even Aboriginal cave art? Everything is up for sale including oil in this picture. Satellite dishes and microwave radios are present as part of this highly developed technological networked world.

Bugs in this picture are Cross Bugs flying above which are quite harmless, Rock Bugs (the stony faced yellow creatures) Checker Bugs, Widgett Bugs, which can appear and disappear in a flash and Space Vehicles being used as service vehicles.

‘Dump Here’

This picture shows life underwater where bins of oil are dumped and a metal-plated vehicle sits on the bottom with an unknown purpose.

Bugs in this picture are Wobble Bugs and Piano Bugs, which are black and white (and they lay black and white eggs). Piano Bugs are the entertainers of the bug world and can put on a concert at short notice. A new discovery, the Row Bugs, in yellow, are yet to be described.

‘Beach Space Vehicles’

This is a beach scene we could be familiar with: shark signs, people sunbaking, a large USB port for recharging devices and flying space vehicles. Our world has to be made sustainable based on renewable energy sources and thinking intelligent people who care for the environment. It includes Lightbulb People who are people with ideas for changing the world into a better place. They are mostly women, often lesbians and they fight against sexism, misogyny and homophobia.

Space vehicles are the vehicles of the future. They will consist of thick transparent Polyurethane (or the like) and they can bounce. They are powered by hydrogen and do not produce waste products other than water. They can accommodate from one to many people and animals. They can accelerate from a standing position vertically to a height of twenty metres in five seconds.

Other bugs included are the Long Haired Bugs (the adolescents of the bug world. They have a nervous and anxious disposition and are very concerned about presentation and fashion. They have their hair cut in an asymmetrical pattern). The stony faced Rock Bugs have their flotation devices on and there are Wobble Bugs.

kayejohnston.net

Foyer Gallery

Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra

12 Berry Street, Nowra, NSW, 2541