Rise up bushfire relief exhibition

 

"The Futile Battle of Man vs. Nature" emerged like a phoenix from the charcoal of the recent Australian bushfires. Along with a collection of other artists featuring in Rise Exhibition, Craig has used the charred remains of ancient bush lands and rainforests which have historically personified this nation's identity, in order to create a new communal vision of environmental rejuvenation.

All proceeds from this Craig’s artwork have been distributed between Blaze Aid and Fire Relief Fund.

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COAL MINES TO
CHARCOAL LINES. 

Issy Westall in conversation with Craig Ruddy about his journey as an environmental artist.

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  Issy: Can you remember a specific moment of concern or insight about mankind's battle with nature that significantly impacted your life or work?

     Craig: The competition for habitat. When I visited the Hunter Valley ten years ago and saw the devastation of the open cut coal mines. Twenty years earlier the land was prime, fertile agricultural land, before that, pristine bush land. The insane destruction of habitat is unfathomable and impacting heavily on the balance of nature.

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     I: How do you envisage a more harmonious relationship with nature coming about?

     C: When we drop fossil fuels, man and nature will have the opportunity to find a more harmonious balance.


   

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I: Man's symbiotic relationship with nature seems to be a theme behind your work... what impact do you hope this has on your audience?
 

   C: I hope that my work instills and tugs at the deep, primal, instinctual emotions at the core of each viewer, that essence which interconnects all living things.

 
craig ruddy