Todd Jenkins

Lake Pedder

Todd Jenkins

To be opened by Bob Brown on Friday 4 December 5.30pm 

4 –  23 December 2015

The flooding of Lake Pedder in 1972 is widely acknowledged as environmental vandalism, Pedder was regarded as a jewel in the crown of Tasmania’s Wilderness. Jenkins has captured the epherial and mystical atmosphere that still exists around the shoreline and surrounding bush – these paintings are composed of multi layered, thinly applied oils suggesting the moist atmosphere both above and below the waterline. Hints of sunken logs and illusive fish compel the viewer to spend time on each. Partially exposed tree branches highlighted with subtle impasto textures float above the canvas surface.

‘Lake Pedder’ is Todd Jenkins third solo show at Despard Gallery. This show has been eagerly awaited by many admirers as a continuation of the ethereal qualities seen in the ‘Rome’ exhibition from 2013. 

Steven Joyce Director, Despard Gallery 

 “This body of work has been developing for a long time, much of my research focused on the movement of Aboriginal people who inhabited the area and frequented the lake; their use of fire as a means to shape and control the environment of which is still evident today. Inspiration was also taken from the mixture of native flora, the splendid button grasses that scatter the surrounds of the lake, the tannin stained shallows, the illusive beach that lays lost beneath the water. The paintings are multi-layered reflections of Lake Pedder, they reflect the past and hopefully the future. The effect of the Hydro Electric Scheme has seen the environment change and shift in a short period of time, intertwined with centuries of Aboriginal occupation Lake Pedder is an endlessly intriguing landscape. “

Todd Jenkins 2015