GALLERY | DAB hosts “Our Paradise” exhibition

ART

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Mandy White DAB Gallery sub committee member holding some of her pieces. Behind her is some of the artworks on display from various DAB artists. Image: Karlie Brady.

In continuing its proud tradition of hosting exhibitions showcasing the incredible talent in the Douglas Shire, the Douglas Arts Studio Gallery (DAB) will be staging “Our Paradise” Exhibition from 1 May to 29 May.

The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 2pm (except Sundays) and many pieces of artwork will be for sale at affordable prices.

Unfortunately, due to social distancing restrictions, DAB is unable to hold its traditional opening night, which has been well attended prior to the pandemic outbreak.

Visitors to the DAB Building on 11 Mill Street, Mossman (opposite the library), will be treated to vibrantly coloured.

Clay Sculpture 'Palm trees in my mind' by Danielle Piat and 'Daintree Touchstone' by Sam Mathews, and photography 'Hungry Bee' by Glenda Gordon. Image: Karlie Brady.

“The Gallery is bursting with vibrant colour as our local artists portray what this part of the world means to them. ‘DABsters’ have expressed themselves with paint, clay, glass, paper, their cameras, and even marine debris to create beautiful and often thought-provoking works of art.

“Many of the exhibition entries highlight the stunning beauty of our region’s flora, fauna, landscapes and local landmarks,” said Mandy White, a member of the DAB Gallery Sub-Committee.

Visitors to the exhibition will be exposed to the volume of work on show.

The Gallery walls are covered with prints, paintings, photographs and sketches capturing landscapes and scenes from Four Mile Beach and Mossman Gorge, native fauna such as the cassowary and other birds, insect life, rainforest scenes and local landmarks including the Mossman Mill, Ramada Resort and St Crispin’s Café.  

'Outside the box' by Sam Mathews. Image: Karlie Brady.

Ms White said exhibitors have been busy with clay; creating unique, colourful and quirky ceramics and sculptures of lily pads, birds, abstract tropical creatures, shells and even a mermaid.

“The palette of sunlight, sea and rainforest is captured on plates, bowls and decorative pieces in glass and clay.”

She said some of our artists have shown that all is not well in paradise, creating works that remind us that we are inhabitants of a fragile and vulnerable land.

“Victoria Park’s ‘Plastic Paradise’ is constructed of marine debris including ghost net, rope and fishing line that traps and kills countless sea creatures. 

'Plastic Paradise' by Victoria Park made from old nets, rope, and fishing line. Image: Karlie Brady

“Sue Berthelsen’s watercolour and collage: ‘There was no one left to hear the last tree fall’, is a sober reminder of the impact of deforestation on people and place.

“And ‘Outside of the Box – Fragile Paradise’ by Moo (Sam Matthews), is a set of boxes and pyramids with intricately drawn insect and plant life with the reminder to be ‘informed by science, wary of opinion [and to choose] action not reaction’”,” said Ms White.

The brainchild of Marjorie Norris in 2002, DAB is a not-for-profit community arts centre which is aimed at teaching, promoting and encouraging the artistic development, appreciation and personal expression of people living in Mossman, Port Douglas and the whole Douglas Shire region, in Far North Queensland.

GALLERY | See more pieces from DAB's exhibition below:

(Top left) 'Eyeing you' by Inger Rowe, (bottom left) 'Port Douglas lookout' by Glenda Gordon, (top right) 'Heliconia Flower' Glenda Gordon, (middle right) 'Cape Tribulation Rainforest' by Jeanette Yarr, (bottom right) 'Deep Look @ Past and Present' by Khani Hawthorne. Image: Karlie Brady.
Glass works by Sue Berthelsen and Mandy White. Image: Karlie Brady.
(Top left) 'There was no one left to hear the last tree fall' by Sue Berthelsen, (middle right) 'Through the mangroves' by Inger Rowe, (bottom left) 'Blending in' by Inger Rowe, (top right) 'Buttercup Orchid' by Glenda Gordon, ((bottom right) "Oystercatchers' by Inger Rowe. Clay Sculptures 'Mademoiselle Tete' and 'Monstera Femme' by Danielle Piat. Image: Karlie Brady.
"Saving Our Paradise' by Khani Hawthorne. Image: Karlie Brady.
'Scallop Shell Incense Holder' by Mandy Ryan and "Waterlilies' by Jeanette Yarr. Image: Karlie Brady.
'Ramada' by Hiroko Mcswaney and 'Scallop Shell Dishes' by Mandy Ryan. Image: Karlie Brady.
'Where's Nemo' by Patricia Lane. Image: Karlie Brady.
(Left) 'Portal to Paradise' by Victoria Park, (top right) 'Full Moon Rising' by Victoria Park, (bottom right) 'Pathway to Enllgbtanmer. Image: Karlie Brady.
DAB “Our Paradise” exhibition's various art pieces. Image: Karlie Brady.
'Paradise Found' by Anni Badger. Image: Karlie Brady.

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