Art for Takayna has again achieved Salamanca Arts Centre’s largest annual turnout at last night’s opening in the Long Gallery. Hundreds of odes to Takayna are on display as a call for protection for one of the last wild places on Earth.
“Art for Takayna is a strong, urgent and emotional appeal for people to take action and secure the protection of Takayna for future generations. We invite Premier Rockliff to lead our island state to protect Takayna,” said Jenny Weber, Campaigns Director with Bob Brown Foundation.
From across the nation, exhibiting artists include Graham Wilson, a South Australian artist who has made two impressive woodcut pieces that capture the intense energy of this wild place. Brenna Quinlan exhibits her illustrations from the threatened forests of Takayna. An illustrator and educator from Western Australia is the paintbrush behind the Costa’s Garden series of children’s books and also draws for the United Nations and Australian Red Cross.
Tasmanian-based artists include the late Jon Kudelka, whose stunning piece sold on opening night depicts endangered Tasmanian Devils who are one of the many endangered species that need Takayna to stay intact. Fiona Francois from Deloraine, whose oil painting Takayna’s Daughter is dramatic, intricately detailed and imaginative.
“Bringing together 100 artists who have spent time in Takayna to show over 200 artworks is a powerful celebration of Takayna and the many ways artists connect with this remarkable place. It never ceases to amaze me how differently people see and respond to Takayna, and every year the exhibition feels completely unique. The calibre and diversity of art this year is exceptional,” said Kat Traill, Event Producer with Bob Brown Foundation.
“We welcomed close to 700 people on opening night in a show of overwhelming support, demonstrating the community’s deep connection to Takayna and its future. Every artwork, conversation and sale helps amplify the call for the protection of this extraordinary landscape and its return to Aboriginal custodianship,” said Kat Traill.
Artist Ruth Allen from Melbourne / Naarm has a unique glass-blown set of lungs in this year’s exhibition.
“Spending time in the Takayna forest was magical, pure and awe-inspiring. When thinking of my practice and the opportunity to create an artwork for Takayna, I had a vision as clear as day. Two glass lungs, fragile by nature, reciprocating breath – an invisible exchange that binds all living things. I titled the installation You need my breath – so why sever my heart. Spoken from the forest’s perspective – in a moment of ecological fragility, the work becomes a meditation on co-existence: a reminder that no life breathes alone,” Ruth Allen said.
“Art for Takayna is a globally unique artivism event where frontline defenders host the artists and inspire their works. The artists immerse themselves in one of Earth’s last wild places to create art for the campaign to have World Heritage protection for Takayna,” said Jenny Weber.
