Artwork reveals hidden mangrove world

The secrets of mangroves and the cultural and spiritual teachings of a Tiwi elder are the inspirations behind a new art exhibition to open this week. 

Kerrie Taylor’s first solo exhibition, titled “Rooted complexity”, will open at the Northern Centre for Contemporary Art (NCCA) on Friday, 1 September.

Kerrie, who lived on Bathurst Island for more than two years, said she became fascinated by mangroves after an outing with a Tiwi elder who was teaching his grandson how to find mud mussels.

“This experience had a substantial influence on my art,” she said. “I became intrigued with the hidden elements living in the mangrove system and the mystery of inner knowledge.”

Kerrie employs layered imagery, mostly using printmaking techniques. She was invited to present the solo exhibition as part of her prize after winning the CDU inaugural 2016 “Fledgling” student printmaking award.

“Being fortunate enough to have been taught by an Aboriginal elder how to observe the mangroves, and to appreciate the systems and interconnectedness that inform Tiwi knowledge, has deepened my understanding and love for the environment,” she said. 

“By understanding more about the ecology of mangroves I have been able to create informed and multi-layered images both in a conceptual, artistic and literal sense to produce the three-dimensional installations.”

Kerrie’s work has been exhibited in Darwin and interstate, receiving a number of awards. She is about to start a Master of Visual Arts at Charles Darwin University.

Her show opens Friday 1 September at 6pm and will run until 23 September. The exhibition will be open during NCCA’s normal hours.