Art News

Three Colours Blue

In autumn this year local artist Katherine Perrott began a series of paintings using only red, white and black, which forms the basis of her new exhibition, Burning Issues: War and Peace, now on show at Nimbin Regional Gallery.

"Initially there was an idea to reconcile the symbolism of black and white with the unifying colour of red, symbolising the blood which flows through all humankind," Katherine said. "Tragically, through the divisions and aggressions historically and presently, so much blood continues to flow, so theme became one of war... and peace."

Katherine's exhibition features a variety of thought-provoking and powerful artworks, each with a very defined and deliberate meaning. 'Blood on the shore', for instance, refers to the arrival of English boats to Aboriginal land, while 'Boats nudging the fatal shore' represents the current arrival of asylum seekers. 'Desert Detention' refers to the bleakness of incarceration and 'Cold war' is the only painting in blue - representing the cold, calculated nature of missiles.

The exhibition also has a more positive note - the artworks 'Cry in the dark' and 'Peace flag' are paintings which cry for peace, and 'Sunset on Mars' is an idealistic painting signifying an end to war.

• Burning Issues: War and Peace is on until August 11.

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