Relationships and dating with a twist
If your relationship with Poaceae is at best underwhelming and at worst lacklustre, don’t worry, it’s quite normal – a visit to Caloundra Regional Gallery should do the trick.
The series of artworks on show in the gallery’s latest exhibition Carbon_Dating aim to ignite a new perspective and rejuvenate enjoyment of Poaceae – those flowering members of the vegetal wild known as grasses.
The exhibition
Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor Law said this exciting touring exhibition was the result of a collaborative project involving scientists, artists and growers over a six-month period.
“The resulting works form a stunning collection, each piece reflecting the artists’ responses to their experience with the project," Cr Law said.
“The exhibition invites visitors to look beyond the ‘charismatic plant species’ that steal our attention and focus instead on this often-overlooked group of native plants that contribute so much to the health of our environment.
“The project is a unique approach to fostering an appreciation and stewardship of our regional ecosystems.
“The works demonstrate how artists can take the seemingly ordinary, find the beauty within and transform it into something magical – the exact premise of this project.”
The Carbon Dating Project
Exhibition curators Beth Jackson and Jo-Anne Driessens said the exhibition drew on Indigenous cultural, scientific and artistic understandings.
“The Carbon_Dating project asks how we might see grass and grasslands in a new, equitable and ecological way,” they said.
“The first stage of the project saw dynamic teams of scientists, artists and growers work together at six Queensland-based sites – Miles, Gold Coast, Somerset, Samford Valley, Sunshine Coast and Cairns – to grow and care for their own plot of native grasses, supported by an interactive artwork and a reflective process.
“The Sunshine Coast team worked in consultation with Kabi Kabi Traditional Owner Uncle Brian Warner."
The Sunshine Coast site
Sunshine Coast lead Liz Capelin said the local team came together with support from the Sunshine Coast Regional Arts Development Fund.
"Our team included Traditional Owner Bianca Bond, artists Melissa Stannard, Kilagi Nielsen and Mia Hacker, along with Sasha Parlett from Red Handed Productions who documented the journey as the group collaborated and learnt together," Ms Capelin said.
"Over six months, between 2022-3, we cultivated a relationship with grasses planted at the Tuan Environmental Reserve near Kenilworth – a site selected through consultation with Traditional Owners.
“On entering the site on the first day, set back against the forested hillside, we came across a profusion of new Kangaroo grass, much of which had grown healthy seed after previous seasons of Kabi Kabi-led cultural burning.
“It was a perfect introduction to one of the species being planted and cared for at this site and exemplified the ecological and cultural importance of native grasses.
“We planted three species, Kangaroo grass, Barbed-wire grass and Scented-top grass in our experimentation plot, within view of the majestic Mary River.
“Following the research phase, our group was inspired to create artworks reflecting the time spent at the reserve with the grasses.
"Along with creative responses from the other growing sites, these artworks have since been on a Statewide tour and we are excited to see carbon_dating coming to Caloundra for local audiences to enjoy.”
For more information about the collaborative project, visit www.carbondating.art
What to expect
Carbon_Dating is on show at Caloundra Regional Gallery from October 18 to December 8. The gallery is free to enter. Access is suitable for all abilities and open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am.
You’ll find works in a broad range of mediums including sculpture, weaving, textiles, photography, new media, film and performance-related artworks.
Get involved
Visit gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au for more information and to book public programs including
- Caloundra Regional Gallery Mindful art October 24: 10am-midday
- Chambers Island En plein air paint out November 9: 8-11am
- Caloundra Regional Gallery Panel talk November 16: 11am-12.30pm