“Karst Wetlands are a notable wetland type of the south-east of South Australia. Karst wetlands are created by limestone rocks being dissolved over thousands of years. The water is discharged from a groundwater aquifer and is fresh, clear and cool – almost always between 14 and 15°C. Karst pools are usually permanent and can be very deep.” 1
This exhibition draws on more than 30 years of the artist’s engagement with Ewens and Piccaninnie Ponds, where repeated snorkelling visits and photographic observations informed a deeply personal body of work. The paintings interpret the shifting light and saturated colours of these environments, capturing both the striking beauty of Ewens Ponds and the quieter, more mysterious qualities of Piccaninnie—particularly the experience of drifting above its deep chasm.
The works also reflect the ecological vulnerability of these wetlands, which are under threat from declining groundwater levels. This poses serious risks to the diverse and sometimes rare species that depend on them. Piccaninnie Ponds, in particular, has become increasingly fragile and is currently closed to snorkellers and divers.
Featuring selected works from the past 20 years, the exhibition evokes not only direct experience but also memory, with many paintings responding to the wetlands as they once were rather than their present condition.
Artist Talk - Saturday 4 July, 11am
This exhibition can be viewed at:
Ballan Library & Community Hub from 1 July to 31 July 2026. Ballan Library & Community Hub, 127 Inglis Street, Ballan