Art Gallery of Ballarat opens new exhibition Nature Works

The Nature Works exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ballarat's Backspace Gallery features artworks of different styles and materials.

Haddon artist Stella Clarke's landscape paintings celebrate the life-giving necessity of water in our local environs.

She said waterways, particularly those around Ballarat, fascinated her.

"The eyes are drawn and the connection is made and emotions can be driven."

While Ms Clarke acknowledges the ever-present threat of climate change and the harmful mismanagement of our dry lands, her creative practice is motivated by the recognition that ecosystems need to be allowed to survive and thrive.

"I respond to the environment enormously and I encourage other people to respond in that way too.

Stella Clarke

"There is always something there in the environment so it's mindfulness, slowing down and looking at what is around us," she said.

Ballarat artist Deborah Lee Klein explores the possibilities inherent in the old craft of cut-paper illustration.

Her intricately detailed works reflect a fascination with the infinite variety of life on earth, the fine natural science specimens of the Edwardian era and the lyrical decorative traditions of Asia.

She said through her work she hoped people would see how to create artwork with simple materials, such as paper, and feel appreciative of our natural environment.

Ballarat artist Jessica de Siso uses discarded waste, including items impacted by rust, pollution and erosion, and assembles them into semi-abstract compositions.

She said her work showed nature's colours, shapes and textures. Ms de Siso said she was excited to exhibit her work with two other Ballarat artists.

Gallery director Louise Tegart said the exhibition reflected the importance of environmental issues to us all living in a sustainable and vibrant community.

She said it reflected the breadth and diversity of arts practice within our region.

"The Art Gallery of Ballarat is committed to fostering creativity within our region by supporting early career artists to show their work," Ms Tegart said.

Visitors to to the exhibition have the opportunity to purchase the artworks. Nature Works will run until 3 October.

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