Mist Gallery presents – Janice Edwards – To See The World in a Coral Polyp (July 20-27)

I am fascinated by coral’s beauty and want to share my love for this unseen habitat with the world. My work is based on personal observation, research and use drawing and oil painting techniques to reproduce the ethereal beauty of coral. My academic background reinforces a sense of urgency to join the conversation expressing my concern about human mistreatment of the environment in the Anthropocene, while also focusing on love, beauty and appreciation of nature.

 

The concept underpinning my work is that even something as small as a coral polyp has a vital role to play not only in its own ecosystem but in the whole ecosphere, because of an extensive ecological network by which all living things are interconnected. I aim to foreground important functions of coral not always obvious and make the unseen seen by drawing on personal underwater observations to show in large scale, features such as synergy and collaboration, providing habitat and nurturing other organisms, and protecting our land surface from harsh environmental elements such as cyclones, and erosion. All of my paintings are based on my own interactions swimming, diving and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, thelargest single reef system in the world. I aim to encourage love and appreciation, by investigating and revealing elements in the natural world, usually less obvious such as beauty and collaboration. This is necessary in the Anthropocene in order to protect nature from human abuse and maintain environmental balance. I hope by privileging its beauty and valuable features people will appreciate and protect coral.

 

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