Red Poles exhibition 'Stringy Bark and Other Stories'

Exhibition 'Stringy Bark and Other Stories' at Red Poles Gallery - a series of artworks on laser cut wooden leaves of various sizes and shapes incuding painting, weaving, 'punu', text and other mediums. The Stringy bark tree was used for a variety of functions for the Kaurna people and other Aboriginal language groups throughout South Australia, from its branches to its leaves, bark and wood. This exhibition collates a variety of responses and associations to the tree through stories ancient or contemporary, real or imagined, experiences, traditional uses and contemporary, current connections. Whether its meaning for the artist was a tree to sit beneath, firewood to burn, blossom and nuts to appreciate, or whether there was a deep association to this iconic Australian tree through stories, associations and uses, this is their concept and inspiration! ‘A Place Under the Trees’ - In addition to this the children from McLaren Vale Primary School will be producing with support from Micky Barlow (Kokatha artist) and Rebecca Collard, Aboriginal Education Officer at McLaren Vale Primary School, smaller versions of the leaves for inclusion in the show on a dedicated wall. This creates an ‘inter-generational showcase’ of works.