Fantastic and Informative Fleurieu art

The Fleurieu Biennale exhibit in the Strathalbyn Town Hall is worth more than a quick glance. The work displayed there is exquisite and evocative, really challenging the emotions that connect us to this part of the State.  

I loved everything, but Janet Ayliffe's intricate work, full of hidden messages and surprise, Margie Sheppard's fun but disturbing slow dive, Deborah Sleeman's hard-wearing, amazon metal dresses,  Jenny Clapson's ghostly kangaroos and Muriel VanDerByl Am's Ibis on silk were simply stunning.

Jane Hylton took a group of us around the exhibit last Saturday, drawing on her own connection with the land, and especially the Lower Murray wetlands and Coorong, to give us a personal view of the artwork.  In her own work she showed us how the disappearing lakes have threatened fresh water mussels.  Of others, she illustrated how many of the artists captured the feeling for the unique landscape and its dependence on water.  

The Ngarringdjeri cultural weavers showed immense talent in their traditional weaving of grass baskets and feather flowers, which captured the immense value of tradition associated with this disappearing landscape.  Curator David Dridan OAM should be congratulated as curator for this exhibition (7-30 November 2008).  It shows incredible talent, thoughtful presentation and countless hours of preparation and hard work.