Description
This work was developed following the sculptures in the Ash, Mud & Tears exhibition held in collaboration with Jude White at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery at Ballina, NSW.
‘No Safe Haven’ series continues the sculptural work that emerged in response to bushfires and floods, blending solid timber, sharp-edged metal and bleached animal bones. This series confronts the stark reality behind the illusion of Australia’s ‘pristine nature’. Despite widespread belief the state of our environment is ‘excellent’ or ‘good’, habitat loss is accelerating due to government-approved clearing and climate-triggered events, and along with it, our native fauna. As the climate changes, habitats shift, shrink and disappear. Soon there will be no refuge for the fauna we share this landscape with. ‘No Safe Haven’ challenges us to face the harsh truth of habitat and species loss in a changing climate, and ultimately, the impact on us as part of nature. Will we have a safe haven in future?
Michelle’s eye for unconventional beauty draws to the worn and scuffed and rusty. With silversmithing and jewellery design as her first areas of arts training, Michelle brings that focus on the smallest details to her 2D and 3D work.
