'Gaia'

Art Statement

The first Greek God was in fact a Goddess: Gaia.  She created herself out of primordial chaos and from her sprang all life.  Gaia heals, nurtures and supports life on this planet and she ultimately holds the balance of our health and survival in her hands.

Far from an anachronous myth, the modern theory of Gaia developed by British scientist James Lovelock has presented some of the most incredible and undeniable truths of this century.  His theory states that all life and living things on this planet are perpetually interacting with their environment within a single all-encompassing global consciousness to bring about exactly the right conditions in which to survive.  In other words, we and our environment and every living thing are interconnected and interdependent - part of an incredible collective intelligence which is orchestrating the continuity, balance and abundance of life.

James Lovelock has something else to say.  The theory of Gaia points towards a growing imbalance of such magnitude that it is unlikely that our species will survive if we remain on our current path of disconnect and neglect, leading toward run-away global warming and the destruction of our environment.  His warning is dire.

Tasmania and her ancient, wild, astonishing beauty is threatened. Bushfires, floods, droughts, storms, logging, mining, poisoning, environmental degradation.  This is our future landscape. This isn't about romantic vistas and Anglicised banalities anymore.  It's about Gaia and our collective will to survive. We can consciously work together on a global scale to create balance and harmony in our relationship with our environment.  If we are intelligent and cooperative as a species we may have a chance. We are her and she is us.

- Fiona Francois -

Play time lapse video of the creation of Gaia