In Transitions

This exhibition explores the internal shifts experienced by residents and visitors during their passage from mainland to island, and where their state of ‘arrival’ occurs. Collaborative works were created by layering textural convergences of photo-media, poetry, and drawings; interwoven with the shared feelings and memories of community and the artists themselves.

The In Transitions project concept grew from the three artists’ own experiences of living on, working, or frequently visiting the island of Minjerribah, and from discussions with some of the Island’s community members and visitors in recent years.

This idea of transitioning between mainland and the Island, and how it makes people feel, was further explored in a short survey of questions that the artists created to more deeply understand the experiences, sensations, mental state, and feelings of community and travellers. The generous responses to this survey provided the basis for the themes underlying this exhibition such as: leaving, disconnecting, transitioning, and arriving, each explored through the artworks.

In Transitions consists of a body of collaborative 2D works, encompassing layered elements from biochrome photo-media, poetry, & drawing, visually interwoven into textured layerings digitally assembled. Each work is an exploration into the many transitions we undergo in our movement from mainland to island, as residents, some-time residents, visitors, to where we find ourselves actually arriving.

The artists deeply acknowledge the Quandamooka First Nations Peoples, Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and seas, upon which our artwork is inspired and exhibited.

We asked questions of ourselves and fellow commuters, exploring the nature of transitioning; when does it feel like you are leaving the mainland? when do you have a sense of arriving on the island? how do you feel along this journey?

To community members and fellow commuters of Minjerribah who shared your reflections with us, we would like to thank you for helping to bring this project to fruition.

We would also like to thank calligraphy artist Alison Curtis for her contribution.

Renata Buziak, Vicki Kelleher & Zoë Wolfe.

This project was a recipient of The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and Redland City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Images on this page:

• ‘Moving with Tide’, (detail), 2021, Archival pigment print on canvas, 70 x 100cm, by Renata Buziak, Vicki Kelleher, and Zoë Wolfe.