OPENING NIGHT Tuesday 4 November 6pm to 8pm
Panacea
noun: a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
The modern condition has resulted in a profound separation of mankind from the natural world. In many ways we also insulate our personal selves from our own natural animal state. Increasing diagnosis of mental and physical malaise, are met by an eager pharmaceutical industry offering chemical interventions.
As part of a living ecological system from which we often presume ourselves exempt, its becoming increasingly apparent we have paid a huge price for this exceptionalism. Perhaps instead of drugs and sugar hits we need most urgently to reconnect with our natural world, as an antidote or 'Panacea' against the stress and alienation of our fraught modern existence.
Another defining feature of our modern world is an emphasis on convenience, quick fixes and 'bite sized' chunks of experience and consumption. These new works offer a playful nexus between our commoditised consumer society and the natural world. I offer easily swallowed doses of nature to which our biophilic* needs remain. Ubiquitous consumables such as aluminium soft drink cans are ideal vehicles for consumption on the go. Even a fire extinguisher might be seen as an urgent delivery system for nature. An emergency response to be applied liberally as needed?
- Dale Cox, 2025. Artist statement excerpt. Read full statement in link.
