VISCERAL EXISTENCE

The viscera are the internal organs of the abdominal area. A visceral existence is one where life throws moments at us that we can only survive with ‘gut instinct’. Our group show explores the parts of our lives that have formed in deeply inward feelings, rather than logic. We are a group of women moving through the world, living through major life challenges and exploring them through our artmaking practice.
All of us have responded to the idea of the ‘visceral existence’ that we must experience when life throws you a curve ball. Formulating visual representations of our deepest fears, joys, highlights and lowlights has been a truly cathartic experience for us as artists. Audience members of our show will be taken on a journey of the human spirit; what it can endure and how we carry this life we’ve been given.
From sculpture, painting, installation and sound; we form a group of multi-disciplinary art makers who all want to share our innermost thoughts and feelings with the viewer and engage in a personal dialogue with each of them as well as each other.
As a group we have formed as a mixed bag of friends, colleagues and idols. Tonita and Bronwyn have worked together before as teachers; Bronwyn has worked with Kahli and all three teachers have followed and been so moved by the work of painter Marylaura. We thought that we could put something together that would visually and emotionally connect with both the audience and each other.
We have truly enjoyed putting this show together, talking with each other about our work and experiences has been such a treasure. We hope you connect with us and our work through this show.

Group CV

Bronwyn Langford Martoo

High school Art teacher and inter-disciplinary artist
• Group show 2021 ‘Abstract Archaeologies’ Wondai Gallery
• Group show 2022 ‘Geist Land’ Kingaroy Gallery
• Group show 2023 “Petrichor’ Wondai Gallery
• Group show 2024 ‘Tempus Locus’ Gayndah Gallery
• Awards – won several sections 2021 SBRC October Acquisitive Competition Wondai Gallery, judged by Michael Eather of Fireworks Gallery, Brisbane.

Tonita Penny

High school Art teacher and inter-disciplinary artist
• Group Show International Women’s Day Kingaroy Gallery 2017

Marylaura Kato

Inter-disciplinary artist and spoken word artist/poet
• Solo show 2023 ‘Black Renaissance Exhibition’ Brisbane

Kahli Dawkings

Bundjalung woman
High school teacher and sculptor
• Group show 2023 ‘Coal Creek Potters’ Glen Rock Gallery
• Group show 2023 ‘Commune’ Museum of Brisbane
• Group show 2022 ‘Coal Creek Potters’ Glen Rock Gallery