Endangered is a new exhibition reflecting on the precarious nature of classic trades and environments in a rapidly developing world.
The exhibition, which is on at Ambush Gallery from November 21-24, brings together architects, artists and makers who are experts in their fields. Each work is an embodiment of a specific tradition, species, environment or practice now endangered due to the rise of technology and consumerism.
Endangered is a combination of different mediums, including projection, textile, photography and sculpture, curated to comment on sustainability, resilience and the future of our planet. Audiences can expect to be immersed in a creative world that tells personal stories and provokes action.
There are ten talented contributors in total, each with their own message.
Ben Baxter
A founding contributor to the Vivid Lights Festival, Ben Baxter is a renowned light artist showcasing the impact of LED technology through his immersive installations.
His work in Endangered is spread across four pieces, including a video essay projection, light projection, and a series of photographs. He seeks to celebrate the innovative style of architecture that emerged in the 19th century, and the interconnection between architects, gardeners and the communities that inhabit these spaces.
Dr Ruth McDermott
An academic and light artist, Dr Ruth McDermott has worked closely with Ben Baxter for the last 15 years, as well as completing her own projects in light art and design.
Her pieces are made from synthetic polymer textile and projected images, resulting in a dramatic body of work that honours the beautiful yet fragile Icelandic landscape. Inspired by the Myrdalsjokull glacier, which combines white ice and black volcano dust, Ruth comments on the changing climate that is threatening the very existence of these landscapes.
Eggpicnic
Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso are passionate conservation activists and the creative duo behind Eggpicnic. Profits from their projects go directly towards scientific research and conservation programs.
For Endangered they have created a series of prints and a sculptures celebrating the Australian alpine region and the endangered animals that call it home. The current climate models predict that snow will cease to fall in this region by 2070, leading to irreversible consequences for native flora and fauna. Eggpicnic wants to spark change and tackle the alarming issue of wildlife decline.
Louise Fowler-Smith
An environmental artist, writer and educator, Louise Fowler-Smith founded the Tree Veneration Society Inc to promote the importance of natural environments. Her work has been exhibited nationally.
Her two sculptures on display take the form of critically endangered Australian plants, which cannot be appreciated in the wild. She comments on the dangers of human intervention to the natural landscape, while also revealing the beauty and tragedy of these stunning plants through the medium of art.
Mike Day
Over the past 50 years, Mike Day has made a name as a major architect, academic and light based artist in Sydney, with works showcased around the world.
His striking sculpture tells the story of mercury and gold, valuable resources which have also put workers and communities at risk due to their poisonous qualities. Mike’s work is a powerful comment on the impacts on development that these materials have caused.
Stefano Cottini
Stefano Cottini is an architect and photographer passionate about his field and the ways in which it blends artistic expression and logical problem solving to address environmental challenges.
His mixed media photograph addresses Cuba’s struggles, and a broader world of unrest, reflecting on endangered elements of our shared humanity and what we must do to protect them. Stefano has transferred photos onto bleached Cuban pesos, transforming the Cuban currency into a comment on economic instability and complex identity.
Andres Coll
A passionate architect of more than 29 years, Andres Coll is focused on the ways that humans interact and transform through connection with their environment. His works comment on humanity’s evolution and crises.
A mixed-media painting acrylic, pencil and marquee pen, Andres’ first work is a metaphor for the chaos of our communal spaces, and the need to pay more attention to nurturing natural and built environments. His second piece is a response to the environmental crisis, and the need to fight the looming possibility of a destroyed planet.
Myung Shin Kim
Myung Shin Kim is a distinguished artist with over 20 years experience in Jiseung, a traditional Korean craft utilising Hanjo (Korean paper) that dates back centuries. She also incorporates Jogakbo, a Korean fabric patchwork technique, to create compelling pieces honouring and reinterpreting the rich heritage of Korean craftsmanship.
The series of four ramie fabrics featured in Endangered each express a distinct season, with the hopes of preserving them from climate change. Myung uses colours and designs from old Korean houses and clothing, harmonising the past and a hope for the future.
Dr Jenni Munday
With a background in performing arts, Dr Jenni Munday has gone on to shift her focus to textiles and mixed media, commenting on research data related to historical narratives.
Her series of cyanotypes pays attention to the climate crisis causing the rapid melting of glaciers in the Arctic Circle and Antarctica as temperatures continue to rise. The work uses found objects and embroidery to enrich the experience.
Jeff Atkinson
Jeff Atkinson is an industrial designer, carpenter and woodworker specialising in bespoke handmade products. He blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, such as 3D printing and CNC machining, to contribute to design, construction of high-end homes, and interior design fit-outs.
Jeff’s matching Cooper stool and Cooper table use new materials to embody old forms, representing the loss of traditional craftsmanship and handmade creations. Both the stool and the table are made to represent the art of coopering, an endangered practice being overtaken by mass production. Through application of these classic techniques, he hopes to renew the passion for handmade products.
Each piece in the exhibition is unique, yet speaks to the overarching theme of endangerment and the need for restoration. The artists hope to inspire action and reflection, leaving the audience to fight for a brighter future.
For more details, head to ambushgallery.com
To read about the top 8 light festivals in Australia, click here.
