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The Carbon_Dating (www.CarbonDating.art) exhibition at Caloundra Regional Gallery invites audiences to explore the often-overlooked beauty of native grasses through an artistic lens, underscoring the urgent need for conversations about environmental stewardship. As the climate crisis reshapes ecosystems globally, this exhibition offers a thought-provoking intersection of art, science, and Indigenous knowledge to reignite awareness of the role plants—specifically native grasses—play in the health of our environment.

Carbon Dating: A Tool for Ecological Insight

Carbon dating is a powerful scientific method that allows researchers to measure the age of organic material by analyzing carbon isotopes. This tool provides invaluable data about the past, helping scientists understand how ecosystems have evolved, how much carbon they store, and how we can better mitigate climate change. By incorporating this concept into an artistic framework, the Carbon_Dating exhibition encourages viewers to reflect on our connection to nature, while rethinking the environmental significance of flora that often goes unnoticed.

Art as a Catalyst for Environmental Conversations

At the heart of Carbon_Dating lies the idea that art has the power to foster new perspectives. Featuring works in a range of mediums—including interactive sculptures, audio-visual installations, and textiles—the exhibition highlights how artists, scientists, and growers collaborated to grow and study native grasses across Queensland. These collaborations explored ecological themes through both scientific rigor and creative expression, emphasizing that the path to sustainability demands both logical analysis and emotional resonance.

Curators Beth Jackson and Jo-Anne Driessens explain:
“The project asks how we might see grass and grasslands in new, equitable, and ecological ways, moving beyond the charismatic plant species that tend to capture attention.”

This approach reflects the growing trend of eco-art—where art becomes a medium for environmental advocacy. By challenging audiences to engage with nature differently, Carbon_Dating aligns itself with global efforts to encourage ecological responsibility and rethink our relationship with the natural world.

Indigenous Knowledge and Regenerative Practices

A notable component of the exhibition is the integration of Indigenous knowledge, emphasizing sustainable land management practices such as cultural burning. At the Sunshine Coast installation site, Kabi Kabi Traditional Owners collaborated to cultivate native grasses, including Kangaroo grass, Barbed-wire grass, and Scented-top grass, demonstrating the importance of indigenous stewardship in preserving ecosystems.

This blend of cultural, scientific, and artistic knowledge highlights how the fight against climate change requires collective wisdom. By spotlighting native plants, Carbon_Dating encourages visitors to reconnect with the land and challenges them to take an active role in environmental conservation.

A Call to Action Through Art

With the climate crisis at the forefront of public discourse, exhibitions like Carbon_Dating are more critical than ever. They go beyond data and reports, using creativity to spark conversations about sustainability and invite viewers to experience the natural world from a new vantage point. In doing so, the exhibition not only celebrates the aesthetic and ecological importance of native plants but also reminds us that small, often invisible elements in our environment—like native grasses—play an essential role in sustaining life on Earth.

The Carbon_Dating exhibition runs at Caloundra Regional Gallery from October 18 to December 8. Admission is free, offering an inclusive experience for all visitors.

For more information, visit www.carbondating.art.

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