2024 group exhibition
Saint Franko
Keeper of the Archives
Water
The unifying theme of the "Water" exhibition is the exploration of water as a dynamic and transformative force in nature. Each artist brings a unique perspective on how water shapes our environment and influences our perceptions of the natural world. From John Reid’s AI-generated call to climate action, Marzena Wasikowska’s portrayal of the ecological sublime, Anne Thirion’s meditative exploration of coastal landscapes, to Frank Thirion’s reflections on environmental interconnectedness, the exhibition collectively underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and the profound impact of water on our planet. Through their works, the artists encourage viewers to contemplate the delicate balance of natural elements and inspire a deeper appreciation for the essential and ephemeral nature of water.
15 Jul - 29 Aug 2024
John Reid
The Social Trust
The invitation from curator Frank Thirion to contribute to the Liarbird Gallery’s Water exhibition coincidently led to conversations about his foray as a visual artist into generative artificial intelligence. I was subsequently inspired and Frank referred me to a ‘word to image’ generative AI app. The outcome is four graphic images focusing on water as an Australian billabong, the southern Pacific Ocean, Antarctic snow and ice, and atmospheric vapour. The artworks are in the form of certificates issued by a Trust that I set up especially for their conceptual foundation. The formal title of the Trust is The Social Trust. The artworks are collectively exhibited under this title too, and can be viewed on the walls of the Liarbird Gallery from July 15 to August 29, 2024.
The objective of The Social Trust (TST) is to encourage donations to activist organisations that promote positive responses to climate change by advocating the development of renewable energy resources and challenging corporations vested in the perpetual use of fossil fuels.
Ethical attribution matters arose from this enterprise. I regarded my role as a creative director drafting the written instructions (equivalent to a brief) that governed the algorithm’s design of the certificates - elements of which, I envisaged, were canvassed and collaged from the visual imagery available to it online. Of course, this was not a consensual process, and probably amounted to an immensely collaborative one. Photoshop intervened at this point replacing illegible certificate script and tidying ragged edges. Sensibilities about plagiarism by using AI could only be allayed by concerned artists ensuring their future artwork is quarantined from the communal ether.
As a gesture toward offsetting the deleterious effects of this emerging digital technology, and until artists have had time to adjust to it, TST certificates, printed and framed behind glass, can be acquired only by verification of a specified and recent donation to a nominated social activist organisation – in the case of the Water exhibition: Greenpeace Australia Pacific; Bush Heritage Australia; The Australian Conservation Foundation; and an appropriate organisation of choice. The artist does not receive any financial return from TST certificate ‘purchases’; neither does the gallery in which they are exhibited.
John Reid Fox Glacier, New Zealand, 33.0 x 33.0 cm Digital photographic print 2024.
Two New Zealand Glaciers
In 2017, together with my artist son, Kai, I made a pilgrimage to the South Island of New Zealand to view at close quarters several glaciers. Photographs of two of them, Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers, are also exhibited in the Water exhibition.
Marzena Wasikowska
Earth’s Self Correcting Systems.
Is a body of work which considers human induced climate change. It is a response to our environmental predicament, through it, I advance a notion of a sublime. Humanity stands before nature wondering what on earth we have unleashed. My images reference the vocabulary of the sublime, to visualise impacts of climate change. I propose that the most relevant contemporary sublime is the ecological sublime, where the Earth’s active systems respond to impacts that human beings have set in motion, and dynamically self-correct.
Anne Thirion
Hydro petros: assemblage
In this body of work, I aim to capture the beauty and complexity of water worn rocks, emphasising the delicate balance and interconnectedness of the two natural elements. The contour maps and pebbles ground the work in the tangible reality of the earth's physical forms, creating a harmony between the ephemeral and the solid. Using perspex tiles as plinths, I symbolise the fluid and ever-changing nature of water.
The interplay of light and form within the tiles elevates the stones, inviting viewer to engage in a suspended inspection and deeper appreciation. This assemblage serves as a meditation on the subtle and profound ways water shapes our world, encouraging contemplation of our connections to these essential and transient elements.
Frank Thirion
Waterscapes: Patterns of Change.
These ‘Waterscapes’ theme photographs invites viewers to appreciate the interconnectedness of nature, recognise the value of different perspectives, contemplate the balance between fleeting moments and enduring elements, and reflect on the importance of environmental preservation. The contrast between the small, seemingly insignificant puddle and the towering, timeless mountain symbolises the interconnectedness of all elements in nature. It serves as a reminder that even the tiniest components can hold and mirror the vastness and grandeur of the world around us.
In the photograph, titled "Reflections of Aoraki," I capture the profound interplay between the ephemeral and the enduring within our natural world. The image features a modest puddle reflecting the majestic snow-capped peak of Aoraki/Mount Cook on the South Island of New Zealand. This reflection challenges us to find beauty and significance in the most unexpected places, encouraging a shift in perspective. Moreover, the purity of the snow peak and its clear reflection in the water highlight the importance of preserving pristine landscapes. These photographs in this exhibition serves as a visual commentary on environmental awareness, urging viewers to consider the fragility of natural environments and the need for conscientious stewardship.
