Benthos Illumination exhibition brochure

Graeme Buckley Over the past decade, Graeme’s major concerns have been centred on protecting the biodiversity of the planet and developing an earth centred spirituality that acknowledges our connection to and dependence on mother nature. Graeme believes that we cannot protect the economy without protecting the environment.

Australia’s economy still relies on primary production and primary industries which are dependent on the climate. Graeme has completed a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) degree that primarily informs this artworks.

Lynn Scott-Cumming Lynn was born in Adelaide in 1956. In 1991, she graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts, and in 1994, she achieved a Master of Creative Arts from James Cook University of North Queensland. She has been a practicing visual artist and writer for over thirty years. She has attended numerous workshops, short TAFE courses, and seminars.

Lynn was Vice President of Writers In Townsville (WITS) for many years. She also served on the Townsville RADF and numerous other committees around the city, including one year as President of the Townsville Art Society. She is a long-standing member of Umbrella Studio, and has volunteered in many capacities over the years.

She has created several public art pieces and enjoys collaborating with fellow artists.

UMBRELLA STUDIO CONTEMPORARY ARTS 482 Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD Monday — Friday 9-5 & Sunday 9-1 07 4772 7109 www.umbrella.org.au

Umbrella Studio acknowledges the financial support of: The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

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Benthos Illumination

Years and Still Counting!

Graeme Buckley and Lynn Scott-Cumming

studio contemporary arts

4 March – 10 April 2016

umbrella

Both artists use photographic images as a sketching tool to inspire and facilitate the creative process. The majority of the sea floor and reef photographs were taken in shallow water, during the spring tides that occur at new moon and full moon. The underwater photographs were all taken with basic waterproof cameras, Graeme also used a digital microscope to photograph macro images of flotsam collected from the high tide line. The photographs of some of the creatures Lynn has portrayed were taken at the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

“Benthos is the community of organisms which live on, in, or near the seabed, also known as the benthic zone.”

“Illumination /…noun 1. the act of illuminating. 2. the fact or condition of being illuminated.

3. a decoration consisting of lights. 4. intellectual or spiritual enlightenment. …

7. decoration, as of a letter, page, or manuscript, with a painted design in colour, gold, etc.” 1

For Graeme Buckley and Lynn Scott-Cumming, a sense of place is paramount. Having lived in Townsville for over twenty years, they have come to strongly identify with the mangroves and the marine environment. This shows in the majority of their artwork created over the past two decades.

Currently, Lynn is focusing on learning the language of the marine environment. She also likes to infuse her artwork with symbolic and/or iconographic imagery. All of Lynn’s artworks were created in the Studio Downstairs at Umbrella Studio since she was accepted as a PressNorth Printmakers artist-in-residence during 2015.

They believe that the best way to garner support to protect the environment is by explaining its vital role in our life. They do this through their visual art, multimedia art and literature.

The two bodies of work from the artists explore the marine wonders found in the shallows on our shoreline, in particular the coral and seaweeds; the small, often overlooked creatures; and the non-glamorous invertebrates. Lynn has also diverted to include the birds that visit this environment.

(1) The Macquarie Dictionary Online © Macquarie Dictionary Publishers Pty Ltd.

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Front Cover: Lynn Scott-Cumming, Maori Wrasse & Octopus, linocut print, 30 x 20cm. (2): Graeme Buckley, Drift, Acrylic on canvas, 45 x 45cm.

(3): Lynn Scott-Cumming, Starfish, Linocut print, 30 x 20cm.

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