In Our Nature is a new exhibition in the Broadhurst Gallery at Gymea's Hazelhurst Arts Centre.
The exibition presents contemporary representations of nature and botanic studies by 13 emerging Sydney-based artists.
The botanicals depicted in the exhibition exude a palpable sense of Australian identity, oscillating between interpretations of our imperial heritage embodied in European flowers, and our traditional narratives through emblematic natives; both which can be found in the gardens of Hazelhurst.
The artists have utilised contemporary artistic modes of representation, moving beyond the traditionally scientific and documentary, towards material-focused, emotive, tactile, and visceral forms.
The exhibition features a range of disciplines including contemporary installation, painting, printmaking, ceramics, drawing, jewellery design, photography, moving-image, textiles, and sculpture.
Curator Sarah Rose said the exhibition acts as a bouquet of diverse personal narratives and reflections.
''These conversations between artist and nature, stratify the potential for humans to not just perceive nature, but to have a reciprocal exchange with it through collaboration,'' Rose said.
''The artists explore notions of place, journey, form, intimacy, fragility, and memory through botanical representations. ''Although each artwork differs in intent, the exhibition as a whole fundamentally alludes to the inevitability of life's cyclical nature, exploring the ground between birth, growth, death, and decay.''
Artists whose work will be on display include Gemma Anderson, Lisa Carrett, Elise Catterall, Lizzy Halyard, Rebecca Hinwood, Hannah James, Alexandra Mitchell, Eva Nolan, Vivienne Pintado, Lana Prideaux- Remin, Sophie Rich, Douglas Schofield, Sarah Rose and Rachel Seeto.
The exhibition is on until May 14.
- The Broadhurst Gallery is located at 782 Kingsway, Gymea. Gallery opening hours: 10am to 5pm. Admission is free.