Leaf Litter : exhibited at DVAA in October 2010
Dawn Beasley's intention with this body of work was to contrast man-made litter against nature’s own discarded ‘leaf litter’ through the combination of found man-made items against painted and drawn natural forms.These images aim to trigger the excitement of stumbling across a glint of treasure amid the natural debris of leaf litter. Your eye is drawn to a flash of colour that on closer inspection turns out to be nothing more valuable than a shiny can. Belonging and yet incongruous; logos form such a part of our everyday experience, at first glance they do not seem out of place amid nature’s discarded forms.
On the surface this work is a response to the issue of litter and the impact of waste on the environment, but on another level it intends to symbolize contemporary Australian culture.
"As a resident of Darwin the sight of metal, plastic and cardboard littering the pathways, beaches and common lands are a familiar sight. When walking my dog, running the footpaths and exploring the beauty of the Northern Territory landscapes the mnemonic logos of alcoholic beverages, fast foods and sugar-laden drinks become increasingly frequent reminders of western contemporary culture and its impact on the people and the environment of Australia. Modern Australian ‘tradition’ embraces the consumption of alcohol, fast food and soft drinks to an excessive level. We are so keen to protect what we see as an inherent part of our culture, and so persuaded are we by the advertising of the corporate world, we resist taking action against the damage that processed foods and alcohol are doing to the minds and bodies of all Australians. The fact that so much of the packaging litters our land says much about our throw away society; as we throw away our health, our concern for others, and treat the environment as a disposable commodity"
Dawn Beasley's intention with this body of work was to contrast man-made litter against nature’s own discarded ‘leaf litter’ through the combination of found man-made items against painted and drawn natural forms.These images aim to trigger the excitement of stumbling across a glint of treasure amid the natural debris of leaf litter. Your eye is drawn to a flash of colour that on closer inspection turns out to be nothing more valuable than a shiny can. Belonging and yet incongruous; logos form such a part of our everyday experience, at first glance they do not seem out of place amid nature’s discarded forms.
On the surface this work is a response to the issue of litter and the impact of waste on the environment, but on another level it intends to symbolize contemporary Australian culture.
"As a resident of Darwin the sight of metal, plastic and cardboard littering the pathways, beaches and common lands are a familiar sight. When walking my dog, running the footpaths and exploring the beauty of the Northern Territory landscapes the mnemonic logos of alcoholic beverages, fast foods and sugar-laden drinks become increasingly frequent reminders of western contemporary culture and its impact on the people and the environment of Australia. Modern Australian ‘tradition’ embraces the consumption of alcohol, fast food and soft drinks to an excessive level. We are so keen to protect what we see as an inherent part of our culture, and so persuaded are we by the advertising of the corporate world, we resist taking action against the damage that processed foods and alcohol are doing to the minds and bodies of all Australians. The fact that so much of the packaging litters our land says much about our throw away society; as we throw away our health, our concern for others, and treat the environment as a disposable commodity"
