WORKING aboard his floating studio, Perth artist Brendon Darby captured a sight few people have had the chance to see: Western Australia’s remote Kimberley coastline.
It took two aeroplanes, a helicopter and two weeks travelling on the Kimberley Quest II, but after months of hard work Tidelines and Timelines will be unveiled at the Milk Factory Gallery tomorrow afternoon.
This will be Darby’s 37th solo exhibition, his first in regional NSW.
“I’ve often travelled through the Kimberley inland, painting the gorges,” Darby said.
“And I heard from other artists how spectacular the coastline was, so I decided I had to see it for myself.”
“My wife Julie and I set out on the Kimberley Quest II and soon discovered that the praises we had heard were an understatement.”
What impacted on Darby the most were the parallel lines dividing the landscape - waterline, high tide line, and the grey and orange lines created by layers of sediment turned to stone over millions of years.
“Those two visual connections of tide lines and timelines are very strong along that coastline,” Darby said.
“Looking at the evidence of millions years of erosion certainly makes you feel insignificant.”
While afloat, Darby captured the vivid scenes in works on paper and once he returned to dry land he expanded the collection with a number of large canvas paintings.
To help people fully appreciate the impressive palate and overarching grandeur of the coastline, Darby’s wife captured the whole process for a “making of” DVD.
And to complete the project, Darby, who is a keen musician, composed the film’s score.
Anyone who purchases a painting will receive a copy of the DVD. It will also be playing at the opening, and on request throughout the exhibition.
Kerry O’Brien from the 7.30 Report will officially open Brendon Darby’s Tidelines and Timelines at 4pm tomorrow at the Milk Factory Gallery, Station Street, Bowral. The exhibition will continue daily until July 30. Phone the gallery on 4862 1077 for more information.