Evanescence

Jane James

These works are a series dedicated to the giant Macrocystis Pyrifera stands that once dominated the coast of Tasmania.

I have dived these waters for over thirty years. I remember these kelp forests, their majesty, their diversity. And how prolific they were.

When I began to gather research for this exhibition, I was horrified. I knew that there was pressure on these forests, but I was unprepared for the extent of their disappearance. 95 percent have vanished. These kelp forests now exist in my memory, and those of my generation. My children will not tell stories of them to my grandchildren. So here they are, drawn from my old photos and lived experience, and that of friends who dived with me.

The titles of the works in this exhibition are from locations I used to dive the kelp forests. They have vanished from the majority of these sites.

For those who would avert their eyes, for the self interested, the disinterested, who would deny that we have done this... look.