Water, weather and waves inspire new Geraldton art exhibition

The Geraldton Regional Art Gallery is alive with coastal colour after two exhibitions exploring water, weather, and waves launched over the weekend.

Downstairs, Sine MacPherson’s exhibition The Wind and the Ocean dives deep into the signs and systems associated with the sea.

Canadian-born MacPherson has lived in WA for more than 20 years.

An avid reader, she finds inspiration in unusual texts, like newspapers and street directories.

Her interest in coastal symbols is a “constant fascination”, and she hopes the representation of the coast she has created through her oil works on canvas will strike a chord.

Printmakers Bethwyn Porter, Jo Darvall and Martin King have taken over the top floor of the gallery with their show Sea Sings Wing Realm, based on a poem of the same name by Paris-based Australian Christopher Barnett.

Created using etching, the range of art presented is diverse.

From lifelike monochromatic sketches of coastal birds to eye-catching abstract pieces, the breadth of work in the exhibition provides a textural experience.

Darvall and Porter created a few of the large scale pieces together. They say the work was designed especially for eyes familiar with the scenes of the Mid West.

“These were designed with Geraldton people in mind and we are hoping people who visit the show will connect with these images,” Darvall said.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said he was delighted the City could host such outstanding exhibitions.

The exhibitions run until April 18.