The title of this exhibition suggests a synthetic connection between three sensory experiences: tactile (earth), aural (song), and visual (painting). Ceramics and sculpture bring these ideas into tangible form.

Rhythm, melody, tempo, and instrumentation all contribute to the meaning of a song, just as an artist’s skillful understanding of design, colour, tone, and perspective gives meaning to a work of art. While the earth serves as a material reference, the language used to describe both art and music is often strikingly similar, such as a lyrical scene or a tone poem.

As creatures of this earth, human beings play a significant role in the planet’s biodiversity and ecology. Urbanisation, monoculture, and technological advancement can disrupt natural systems. One way to re-establish a connection with nature is to take time out: visit the countryside, a park, or a garden, and bring home memories of what we have seen and felt.

The artists exhibiting in Earth Song: Keeping Time have done just that. Their work serves as a memory bank; personal experience and emotive responses to nature are captured through painting, graphic work, sculpture, and ceramic form. Spring blooms will fade, winter storms will pass, and days will turn to night; nature is in constant flux.

The viewer is invited to consider each artist’s contribution as a song, an anthem to nature.

Paintings:
Kamie Brodie, Heidi Burstein, Jean Campbell, Elinor Carleton-Smith, Cheryl Curnick, Sarah Danes-Jarrett, Peter Gray, Michelle Hamman-Wright, Bridget Heneck, Juli Jana, Karin Kruger, Mandy McKay, Nola Muller, Jenny Parsons, Roelof Rossouw, Frederike Stokhuyzen, Louis Stroh van der Walt, Lize van der Walt, Mandla Vanyaza, Karyn Walters, Judy Woodborne

Watercolours:
Natalia Kononova

Graphics:
Katrin Dorje, David Kuijers, Zan Louw, B. Ernest Manfunny, Sheila Petousis, Helmut Starke, Judy Woodborne

Ceramics:
Ardmore, Tania Babb, John Bauer

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