Backspace exhibition explores fragility of nature

AN exhibition by artist and muralist Stephanie Cartledge is the first solo show to open at the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s Backspace Gallery.

Conservation Status opened last weekend at the Mair Street gallery and aims to raise awareness of how humans have impacted several native Victorian animals.

Each species featured in the exhibition is under imminent threat or is already extinct.

“I hope that people start to question our natural surroundings,” Cartledge said.

“A lot of us live in cities and it’s important to get back to nature to know what’s around us, what we live with and these endangered animals that need our help.”

Backspace Gallery is the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s dedicated space for early career artists.

Cartledge grew up in Ballarat and is primarily a muralist.

 

She said murals provide an opportunity for awareness and education.

“I do love having conversations with the general public about what I’m painting,” she said.

“Often it is site-specific, so a native animal or plant in the area that I’m painting and having those conversations brings education and awareness.

“It’s nice to bring the nature back into those spaces in a contemporary manner.”

The exhibition includes a mural of two Paradise parrots, a species that became extinct in the 1920s.

“I’ve done it in muted colour ways because if you look up the parrot it’s really beautiful and colourful and I wanted to make a contrast to that,” Cartledge said.

“In such a hero position on the big back wall you can see it from the street.

“I wanted it to be a hero piece saying this is what we’ve lost, this is what we’ve got to lose.”

Cartledge’s works will be on display until Sunday 29 June.