Manly Art Gallery and Museum
1 August to 14 September, 2025. Tuesdays – Sundays, 10am – 5pm
Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Exhibition
At some beaches in NSW, the sand has 2 layers: a light golden layer and a darker almost-black layer. Sometimes the light layer is at the surface, sometimes the darker layer. When digging their holes, Ghost Crabs [Ocypode cordimanus] excavate the deeper layer, creating spray patterns of a different colour, as shown in this photographic diptych. Each photograph is an image recorded in camera, not created by subsequent digital manipulation. The two juxtaposed sprays of sand are reminiscent of butterfly wings, reminding us of the butterfly effect: how minor disruptions of environment can lead to chaotic effects. We need to tread lightly to preserve and protect our fragile world.
This artwork, about 70x80cm, is displayed on the wall in this exhibition. However, it can also be displayed horizontally, for example on the floor, or a low plinth, so that it can be viewed as it was created by the Ghost Crabs, and seen from different angles. To illustrate how different it looks from different positions, two views of the diptych are shown below.
With thanks to Phil Colman [Northern Beaches Eco lifetime award recipient 2021]
who alerted me to the phenomenon shown in my images.
The Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Exhibition
showcases innovative and thought-provoking works
that explore the theme of the environment.
Manly Art Gallery and Museum
1 Aug - 14 Sept 2025
Further details at Gallery website
