Overview

In this exhibit we celebrate some of the most rare and fragile Otway inhabitants and the artworks that have been inspired by them. This is the second year in which we celebrate the scientific field of ecology and the movements made towards protecting the ecosystem around us. With this years’ exhibition we would like to create awareness and support for current projects protecting the fragile biodiversity of the Otway Ranges. The exhibition will be displayed at Arts Inc. Gallery, Apollo Bay, in the weekend of 29th September and will move to the Nature Gallery of the Conservation Ecology Centre at Cape Otway till the end of the year. Based on last years visitors numbers, we are expecting 250 visitors in the Arts Inc. Gallery, and about 1000 visitors in the Conservation Ecology Centre. ecology ɪˈkɒlədʒi,ɛˈkɒlədʒi noun the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. the political movement concerned with protection of the environment. In the epistemology of our modern times the common narrative often lacks the nuance and refinement of science. William Saroyan said: “Art is looking at things carefully.” and in this exhibition we display work of artist that connect to the work of ecologists in the Otways. Art is human impulse that reconnects the physical world with the metaphysical world (Thomas Aquinas). It is through the work of these artist we would like to connect the viewer to the work done to protect the natural world around us. Artistic illustration has been used as a tool for ecological research from the very beginnings of science. The field of ecology, like many fields of science, deals with complex systems. Topics of interest include diversity, distribution, population numbers of particular organisms, as well as cooperation and competition between organisms both within and among ecosystems. The topics that ecologists devote themselves to, are highly specified and it is often hard to communicate to the broader public because of it. In this exhibit we hope to offer insight into the field through art.