Dryland exhibition considers effects of water shortage
A topical exhibition of multi-layered and textured collages by South Australian artist Pamela Kouwenhoven, called Dryland, will open at the University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery on Thursday 17 July at 6pm.
USC Gallery Curator Dawn Oelrich said Ms Kouwenhoven would attend the opening of the exhibition that focuses on the effects of restricted water supply on the landscape.
“Ms Kouwenhoven is a multi award-winning artist who often finds herself trawling through rubbish tips and discarded industrial material to create her art works,” Ms Oelrich said.
“In this series, her works talk to us about water supply, particularly the very topical Coorong region and Murray Basin in South Australia.
“She is telling us that we are literally ‘scraping the bottom of the tank’.”
Ms Kouwenhoven was a finalist in the Sunshine Coast Art Prize in 2007, the Gold Coast Art Prize in 2007 and a featured artist is South Australia Living Artists (SALA) Festival in 2008.
One of her large works, called Murray Lands Palimpest, was recently purchased by the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Ms Kouwenhoven will deliver a free talk about the exhibition on Friday 18 July at 10.30am. Bookings are required for this event by calling 5459 4645 or emailing Gallery@usc.edu.au.
The Dryland exhibition will continue until Sunday 17 August which is the University of the Sunshine Coast’s annual Open Day.
The University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery, located at the University campus on Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, is open free to the public from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. The Gallery is closed Sundays and public holidays.
The 2008 USC Gallery Exhibition Program is proudly supported by major sponsor Coastline BMW.
— Terry Walsh