I’m writing this from a (hopefully) well constructed ‘motel’ in Bowen north Queensland as the winds and rains from approaching category 4, possibly 5, Cyclone Debbie build to a crescendo. The full destructive power of ‘Debbie’ is still about a hundred and eighty kilometres and twelve hours away. It’s going to be a long night …
Come mid morning tomorrow Bowen will be facing a different landscape of shattered homes.
Seems strangely coincidental that only a couple of days ago I was in Sydney participating in an exhibition at the Contact Sheet Gallery entitled “Home” in which I had two sets of work … “My Place” (5 prints) and “Fragility of Home” (10 prints).
The photographs that made up “Fragility of Home” were selected to illustrate the transient nature of that which we call ‘home’ … and the set includes images of homes ravaged by fire, neglect … and cyclones … that I have collected over the years.
“Home” – a group exhibition – also include some great work by artists Daniel Grendon and Isabelle Baumann (who also co-curated), Godelieve Mols, Ivana Jovanovic, Lola Alexander, Michael Jalaru Torres, Nick Pont, Samantha Mackie and Zorica Purlija. The show runs till April 1st.
Tomorrow many residents of Bowen may well ponder the ‘fragility’ of their own homes and lives as Cyclone Debbie leaves a trail of destruction …
Below (top) is a pic of the opening night of “Home” at Contact Sheet Gallery with my “Fragility of Home” set on the far right and the “My Place” set far left. Following that below are two images from “Fragility …” including one from Cyclone Yasi coverage in 2011 … and one from “My Place”. Images © Brian Cassey
