By Abbey Cannan
Tewantin artist Saren Dobkins has created a powerful series of paintings that take the viewer on a journey in response to the recent Australian bushfires.
The solo exhibition ‘Where There’s Smoke’ is currently running at the Butter Factory Arts Centre, showing 21 paintings, until Sunday 7 September.
Saren, who has been a professional oil painter for over 35 years, said her bushfire series was an analogy of our response to unexpected and life changing events.
“They were a potent reminder of our fragility where the forces of nature are concerned,” she said.
“The regeneration of the bush, the significance of trees, the resilience of the human spirit and the fate of wildlife in the face of a changing environment, are explored using visual metaphors and energetic expressionism.
“With the increasing effects of our external behaviour impacting on the natural world, and hence ourselves, these works explore our sense of place within our environment and questions what we value.”
Saren was evacuated during the fires and said it was an impressionable time.
“The legacy of this catastrophic event continues to affect many people who lost their homes, animals and livelihoods. It is important to remember them,” she said.
“I have many visitors to the exhibition comment on the relevance of the artworks, as so many people who live here, were affected by the fires.
“They felt it spoke to them in a way that resonated with their own experiences.”
Saren will be giving an Artist Talk on Saturday 29 August where a booking will be required.
Originally from Zambia, Saren has work showing in several public and private collections, and was recently a finalist in the Gympie Du Rietz Award.
“My work predominantly explores the human condition in its moments of vulnerability and desire for connection,” she said.
“This exhibition was gratefully supported by a RADF Grant from the Noosa Council.”
For more information visit www.sarenart.com.
