In The Not Too Distant Future

19 Jan – 15 Feb 2021

Julie Collins & Derek John

As artists, we have always been interested in the “what if?” What if man’s affect on the planet set off a series of consequences, which altered our lives forever?

We started this project in late 2019, before Covid, before the new normal. We never imagined that so much would change across the world, and the projects we had planned would take on the issues that we are facing today. And more importantly, what we may face… in the not too distant future.

163 Ocean Beach Road Sorrento www.andgalleryaustralia.net [email protected] Enquires: 0417 324 795

In The Not Too Distant Future Mixed media 124 x 244 x 8.5cm $20,000 Wall Piece

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of floating plastic and marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. It covers an estimated surface area the size of Western . Although attempts are now being made to clean it up, nothing is really being done to address its sources.

What if… it made it’s way to Antarctica, the last pristine continent on earth, would the world take action then? Waiting for Godot Mixed media 46 x 167 x 104cm $17,000 Floor Piece- Comes with a glass top

In Samuel Beckett’s 1949 classic, Waiting for Godot, the hopelessness in Vladimir and Estragon's lives demonstrate the extent to which humans rely on illusions—like the belief that someone greater than themselves will save them.

What if…. we continue to wait for others to solve the issues of climate change? Meanwhile…… Mixed media 124 x 125 x 6.5cm $10,000 Wall Piece

The failure of successive governments to embrace science and tackle climate change has meant that Australia has now been ranked the worst performing out of 57 countries by the 2020 Climate Change Performance Index.

What if ….while we were waiting others got orgainsed? The Silo Solution Mixed media 124 x 244 x 6.5cm $20,000 Wall Piece

Brexit and Trumpism have heralded in a new era of anti globalisation. Enter Covid -19, and now our borders have literally slammed shut.

What if … things don’t go back to ‘normal’ and each country has to become more self- reliant, therefore equal in circumstance.

The Failed State Mixed media 90 x 215 x 90cm $25,000 Floor Piece- Comes with a glass top

The reality of Covid -19 has meant we can’t travel as freely as we once did, limiting our cultural exchanges and experiences.

What if… a solution was to move all the significant monuments, architecture, landmarks and art to one location, a Covid safe zone? Selling the dream of one stop cultural theme park seemed like a good idea at the time until we finally realized that the people and their land are culture and the rest is just a consequence.

Return to Sender Mixed media 124 x 244 x 6.5cm $20,000 Wall Piece

On 4 October 1957, the Soviet Union launched the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1. Since then, about 8,900 satellites from more than 40 countries have been launched. Currently we have 34,000 pieces of space junk in our orbit, including 5000 satellites, with 3000 of those non-operational.

What if….. what goes up must come down?

Cause and Effect Mixed media 124 x 244 x 6.5cm $20,000 Wall Piece

Generational clear felling of forests, over use of land and a lack of adaptive farming techniques has led to land degradation. Rising sea levels driven by climate change make for salty soil, and this will continue to force coastal farmers inland as glaciers melt into the world's oceans.

What if…. the cycle continues, destroy, move, destroy, move, destroy until we have no more fertile land?

Thoughts and Prayers Mixed media 46 x 192 x 121cm $20,000 Floor Piece

The devastation of bush fires and drought have left a scar on our souls and they will continue to affect our lives for generations to come.

What if…. the only action on climate change policy continues to be the meaningless “Thoughts and Prayers” slogan from our leaders?

One and Free Mixed media 124 x 185 x 6.5 cm $15,000 (Exhibited in the gallery window)

As our country navigates Covid-19 the States have taken the lead to protect their people.

What if… we are seeing the beginning of the end of the Federation? This piece was to be called Advance Australia Fair, however the recent tokenistic word change in our National Anthem proved far too ironic not to acknowledge.

About:

Julie Collins has been professionally creating, exhibiting and curating art since 1987, then collaborating with artist/fabricator Derek John in life, love and art since 2000. They have had a career-long conversation around climate change, politics and social issues. They employ a range of materials as conceptual symbols, and occasional satire, to hold up a mirror to us all.

Together they have raised three children, developed projects and most recently opened & Gallery Australia in Sorrento. They have held 32 solo and 126 group shows, while Julie has curated over 60 projects. Their work is held in public and private collections throughout Australia and Internationally. www.djprojects.net

JULIE COLLINS & DEREK JOHN SCULPTURE CV

EDUCATION Julie Collins 2007-08 University, Masters of Visual Arts 1985-87 College, Prahran Campus. Bachelor of Fine Arts 1883-84 Box Hill College of T.A.F.E Melbourne, T.O.P & V.O.P

Derek John Qualified Boilermaker Steel Fabricator

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Julie Collins and Derek John 2021 In The Not Too Distant Future, & Gallery Australia, Sorrento 2019 The Lucky Dip- Fed Square 2017 Evidence@Hepburn Bathhouse & spa 2016 Paradise Lost, & Gallery Melbourne Paradise Lost, Stockroom Gallery Kyneton Evidence@ballarat Lost Ones Gallery, Ballarat 2015 Evidence Based Research – Collate, & gallery Melbourne-(Nov) 2014 Evidence Based Research@QDOS, Qdos Gallery, Lorne, Victoria 2013 Rescue- Mars Gallery Port Melbourne 2011 Open Studio- Golden Plains Arts Trail 2011 Shared Journey- Stockroom, Kyneton, Victoria. Messages to the World, Mars Gallery, Port Melbourne. Open Studio -Golden Plains Arts Trail. Messages to the Street, Sturt Street Rotunda, Ballarat. 2010 Seven Stories - Civic Trust House. Cork Ireland. Rescue -Siamasa Tire Gallery, Tralee Ireland. Unnatural Disaster, Installation- National Sculpture Gallery Cork, Ireland. Landscape, Shared Journey -Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery. 2009 Arts Trail, Studio Exhibition. Are We There Yet? - Yarra Sculpture Gallery. 2008 Ship of Fools -Ballarat Mining Exchange. 2006 With Ownership Comes Great Responsibility -Yarra Sculpture Gallery. 2004 Landscape - Yarra Sculpture Gallery. Melbourne. 2002 The Small One -Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne. Julie Collins 2000 Fractured Memoirs- Yarra Sculpture Gallery. 1999 Pettys Reopen -Pettys Orchard, Templestowe Melbourne. 1998 Pettys Orchard -One Weekend Only, Melbourne. 1997 Worship -Yarra Sculpture Space Melbourne. 1995 Recent Sculpture- Craft Council Gallery Canberra. 1993 Zoning-Luba Bilu Gallery Melbourne. 1991 Recent Sculpture- Luba Bilu Gallery Melbourne. 1990 Sea Stories -Luba Bilu Gallery Melbourne

GROUP EXHIBITIONS Julie Collins and Derek John 2020 The Salon, & Gallery Australia, Sorrento 2017 CSA Yarra Sculpture Gallery 20th Anniversary exhibition 2016 Montalto Sculpture Award- Red Hill Victoria Alice Springs Prize. Finalist Alice Springs 2015 Mt Alexander Rd Project – City of Moonee Valley Deakin Small Sculpture Award- Deakin University Gallery, Burwood CSA 18th Anniversary Exhibition- Yarra Sculpture Gallery- Abbotsford Evidence Based Research- the Rescue- Incinerator Garden Project - Moonee Ponds Climarte: The Warming and The Anthropocene Cabinet of Curiosities- Australian Galleries Stockroom Melbourne Montalto Sculpture Award- Red Hill Victoria 2014 Sculpture By the Sea- Bondi NSW Flower, Yarra Sculpture Gallery Curated by David Waters Mars Gallery Pop Up Exhibition WTC Melbourne Lights on - Lights Off, Spencer Street Melbourne 2013 The Story of the Creative-See.Me Gallery Long Island, Queens New York. Art/Work Fairbanks Gallery Ballarat, Victoria Mt Buller Sculpture Award- Mt Buller Victoria Periscope- Castlemaine State Festival, Visual Arts curated by Deborah Ratcliff 2012 Maquette Exhibition -Mars Gallery, Port Melbourne. A Pop Up Gallery - Mars Gallery in Collins Street. A Public Art Perspective - Backyard Gallery, Ballarat. Sculpture by the Sea- Cottlesloe, . 2011 Australian Galleries Small Works -Melbourne & Sydney. Sculpture by the Sea- Bondi, Montalto Sculpture Award-Red Hill, Victoria. Bonanza- Yarra Sculpture Gallery-Abbotsford, Victoria. 2010 Yering Station Sculpture Award- Yarra Valley. Toyota Sculpture Exhibition-Port Melbourne. Bittersweet, Macroom Town Hall-Macroom County Cork, Ireland. 2010 Seven Messages to the World- Willow Bar, Northern Exposure, Northcote. Bittersweet -Dodswell Gallery, Roscarberry, West Cork. Bonanza - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Abbotsford. 2009 Willoughby Sculpture Prize -Willoughby Council, NSW. Glenlyon Sculpture Show -Glenlyon Victoria. Horses and Hats - Yarra Sculpture Gallery. 10/30 - Post Office Gallery, Ballarat. Northern Exposure-High Street Northcote. Williamstown Contemporary Art Prize -Substation Newport. Linden Post Card Show - Linden Gallery St Kilda. Bonanza - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Abbotsford. 2008 Affordable Art Show - Post Office Gallery, Ballarat. Bonanza- Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Abbotsford. Yering Station Sculpture Award & Exhibition -Yarra Valley. Glenlyon Sculpture Show - Curated by Jason Waterhouse. Metal, Curated by Van Komis - Yarra Sculpture Gallery. Ship of Fools, Ship of Hope, One World - Ballarat Mining Exchange. Ship of Fools, Ship of Hope, One World - Yarra Sculpture Gallery. Motorshow 3 -Docklands, Melbourne. Committed/Committee -Yarra Sculpture Space, Abbotsford. Montalto Sculpture Award - Red Hill, Victoria. Sustainable Living Festival - Federation Square. 2007 Lorne Sculpture Beinnale, Lorne Victoria. Yering Station Sculpture Award & Exhibition- Yering Station, Yarra Valley. Ten, 10th anniversary exhibition CSA. Yarra Sculpture Gallery. Bonanza, Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Abbotsford. Concurrent, ABL, Melbourne. Posted, Yarra Sculpture Gallery. Water, Yarra Sculpture Gallery. Waste Not, Want Not - Edinburgh Gardens, North Fitzroy. Waste Not, Want Not - Yarra Sculpture Gallery. Contempora2 - Docklands, Melbourne. 2006 Motorshow 06, Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Melbourne, curated by Jason Waterhouse. Symbiotics, Toyota Australia, Port Melbourne. Toorak Sculpture Festival, Toorak, Melbourne. Yering Station Sculpture Award & Exhibition. Yarra Valley. Bonanza, Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Abbotsford 2005 Docklands Festival of Sculpture. Docklands Melbourne. Metaphysics, Toyota Australia, Port Melbourne. Bonanza, Yarra Sculpture Gallery, Abbotsford. Yarra array, Birrarungmar, City of Melbourne. Julie Collins 2005 Committed -Yarra Sculpture Gallery. 2004 The World We Live - Melbourne Museum. 2002 Terra Firma Sculpture Trail - Hawthorn, Melbourne. CSAsculpture@stkildabotanicalgardens - St Kilda Botanical Gardens. 2001 Selection - Yarra Sculpture Gallery, CSAsculpture@stkildabotanicalgardens - St Kilda Botanical Gardens. Horizons 01 - Bhg Gallery, Kyneton, Victoria. Begonia Festival Sculpture Show -Ballarat. Sculpture Survey 01 - Gomboc Gallery W.A.

2000 Ovedue- Yarra Sculpture Gallery Melbourne. 1999 Organic, Sculptural Form/Natural Landscape- McClelland Art Gallery Langwarrin, The Australian Tactile Art Prize - Customs House Sydney. Commissions Rejected - Yarra Sculpture Gallery. Bonanza - Yarra Sculpture Gallery. 1998 M3 - Yarra Sculpture Space Melbourne. Sculpture Trail - Dandenong Ranges Victoria Australia. Curated by Ken Scarlett. Ceres Sculpture Show - Melbourne Australia. 1997 Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park - Melbourne International Festival, Melbourne. Enough Space - Yarra Sculpture Space, Melbourne. Fringe Festival - Stop 22, Melbourne Australia. 1996 Sculpture Now, Castlemaine State Festival. Gasworks Outdoor Sculpture Show, Gasworks Port Melbourne. 1995 The Situation Now; A Survey Of Local Non Objective Art - Latrobe University Continuum And Contrast curated By Ken Scarlett - McClelland Gallery. Contemporary Australian Artist - National Gallery Of Victoria. It’s A Guitar Shaped World curated By Reg Lynch - Tamworth City Gallery NSW. 1994 Fourth Australian Contemporary Art Fair Royal Exhibitions Buildings. Gasworks Outdoor Sculpture Show, Gasworks Port Melbourne. Sculpture For Heidelberg, Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, curated by Ken Scarlett. Sculpture on The Foreshore, Williamstown Festival Melbourne. Alice Prize Araluen Arts Centre Alice Springs. 1993 No Standing, Melbourne International Festival Melbourne. Gasworks Outdoor Sculpture Show, Gasworks Port Melbourne. Artworkz 5 101 Collins Street Melbourne. 1992 Margaret Stewart Endowment Collection, National Gallery Of Victoria. Recently Seen, McClelland Gallery Mornington Victoria. Gasworks Outdoor Sculpture Show -Gasworks, Port Melbourne. Third Australian Contemporary Art Fair - Royal Exhibition Buildings. 1991 Review 1991 - Luba Bilu Gallery Melbourne. In 3D, Contemporary Outdoors Sculpture - Heide Park And Art Gallery. 1990 Special.... It’s Been Used Before - Luba Bilu Gallery. Sculpture at Riverside Quay South Bank Melbourne - Fourth Australian Sculpture Triennial Sculpture Triennial - Meat Market Craft Centre Melbourne. 1989 St Kilda Festival Show Theatre Works - Melbourne. Sculptors on The Wall, Others on the Floor - 70 Arden Street Gallery. 1988 Group Show - 70 Arden Street Gallery Melbourne. 1987 Prahran Prize Show- William Street Gallery Melbourne

AWARDS & GRANTS Julie Collins and Derek John 2015 Mitchell Family Award, Monalto Sculpture 2009 Toyota Travel Award. Willoughby Sculpture Prize- Major Award. Williamstown Contemporary Art Prize, Fundere Award. 2008 Agashop Award of Excellence. 2007 Celia Dymond Design Acquisitive Award, Contempora2 Sculpture Award 2006 Fernhills Non Acquisitive Prize, Yering Station, Highly Commended.

Julie Collins 2007 Best Oral Presentation. University of Ballarat Research Conference. University of Ballarat Travel Award. City of Ballarat Arts Development Grant. Regional Arts Victoria. Ballarat Arts Foundation. 1993 Artworkz 5; 101 Collins Street Acquisitive prize. 1986 Lincoln Institute Acquisitive Prize.