DEAR KUNANYI PAIR (2018)

Artist Statement:

These two artworks were included in an exhibition at the Long Gallery, which explored artists relationships with Mount Wellington/Kunanyi, its importance to Hobart and its presence in our lives. Artists created a patchwork quilt of experiences, thrown around just when the winter is the darkest, and we need it most. The exhibition was also a revolt against the cable car development that has been discussed with many artists choosing to portray how any kind of development on the mountain may negatively impact Tasmania.

Kirsty’s artwork is a comment on the impacts of over-tourism and industrialisation will have on Hobart, posing a potential threat to Hobart’s natural environment and small community. Using soft chalk pastel, acrylic paint on canvas the artwork shows how built up Tasmania could easily become. The importance of Tasmania maintaining its natural environment is important as Tasmania is very much a wilderness destination. The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, abbreviated to TWWHA, is a World Heritage Site in Tasmania, Australia. It is one of the largest conservation areas in Australia, covering 15,800 km², or almost 25% of Tasmania. In 1989 it was greatly expanded to cover almost 20 per cent of Tasmania. The area received world heritage listing because it conserves a diverse array of both natural and cultural features of outstanding global significance.