Art and Science Converge in Groundbreaking White Bluff Project

Published on 19 October 2021

Joel Van Veluwen - White Bluff 2019.JPG

The White Bluff Project, a local artist-led science and community collaboration, is set to open its doors at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery on 30 October 2021.

White Bluff is a rocky headland on the north side of the regional city of Coffs Harbour - the southern headland of Sapphire Beach. The White Bluff Project stemmed from Ray Rixon, a local painter, and his 40-year creative association with the site. It has over time resulted in a group of artists coming together with scientists and community members to explore concepts of place, change and discovery.

Mark George and Ray Rixon, Float, 2021.jpg“This show is an exciting, thought-provoking array of creative works - a fusion of diverse disciplines, responses, materials and techniques. Developed through an immersive collaborative journey, the exhibited works are infused by the overwhelming generosity of a passionate, professional team of local creatives drawn from across the arts, science and history,” said Rixon.

The Project's aim is to expose concerns about the transformative effects of climate and urbanisation while celebrating the beauty, fragility and unique discoveries to be found in our local landscapes.

After four years of hard work, the collaborative and creative outcomes from this project can be experienced by the public in an exciting exhibition at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery 30 October 2021- 15 January 2022.

This exhibition will close out the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery's 20th year anniversary and open at a time when plenty of people, including visitors to the Coffs Harbour region, will be exploring our coastline. This exhibition presents a further opportunity to see and learn more about the unique, significant and overlooked site of White Bluff. 

“It’s exciting for us to finish our 20th year with a home grown exhibition. The artworks are diverse and really highlight the unique ecology, history and beauty of the landscape at White Bluff,” said Lisa Knowlson, Acting Gallery, Museum & Public Art Coordinator.

Participants in The White Bluff Project include painter and project lead Ray Rixon, Artists Sarah Mufford, Mark George, Megan George, Terri Butterworth, Tori Donnelly, Joanne Elliott, John Van Der Kolk, Martin Van Veluwen, Jeremy Sheehan, Julie Nash, Ashleigh Frost, Chris Armstrong, Phil Greed and J P Willis, Greg Elks (Plant Ecologist), Mark Graham (Ecologist), Dr Karina Hall (Marine Scientist) and Dr Lisa Milner (Historian).

 Find out more about The White Bluff Project.

 

Pictured above:

White Bluff 2019 by Joel Van Veluwen
Float, 2021 by Mark George and Ray Rixon

Images courtesy of The White Bluff Project