Works drawing on the natural beauty of our islands and their unique ecosystems will feature in two new exhibitions to open this week at Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland.

From Sunday 24 April to Sunday 5 June 2016, Ground/Passage: Poetic mapping of Russell Island by Sharon Jewell will be exhibited alongside Medicinal Plant Cycles: Renata Buziak.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the exhibitions featured a fascinating collection of artworks inspired by environmental elements of Russell Island and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

“Award-winning artist and QUT lecturer Sharon Jewell has created a fascinating perspective of Russell Island, the island that she has called home for the past decade,” she said.

“Developed from her intimate view of the island, the materials used in Ground/Passage Poetic mapping of Russell Island have been carefully selected to maintain a strong sense of the island’s identity.”

Cr Williams said the art featured in Medicinal Plant Cycles: Renata Buziak was inspired by natural science and cycles of decay and renewal of plants, as well as the passing on of knowledge and the cycle of time and seasons.

“Informed by extensive discussions with the island’s Quandamooka community, the images illustrate the constant flux of nature, revealing the beauty of decomposition and transformation,” she said.

“Created using time-lapse photography, the images of medicinal plants are based on a fusion of organic and photographic materials in a process of decomposition that Buziak terms the biochrome.

“The exhibition also includes time-lapse videos recording the blossoming and movement of fungi and microbes and excerpts from conversations with several Quandamooka People recorded during research for the exhibition.”

Join the official opening of Medicinal Plant Cycles: Renata Buziak and Ground/Passage: Poetic mapping of Russell Island on Friday 22 April at 6pm.

To RSVP, please call 3030 4163 or email by Thursday 21 April 2016.

A free morning tea and artist floor talks will be held on Sunday 24 April from 11.30am.

Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland is located on the corner of Middle and Bloomfield Streets, Cleveland. Click here for more information about the gallery and its exhibitions.

Renata Buziak