Artist draws inspiration from Currumbin

Artist Ronelle Reid has been busy at work at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Artist Ronelle Reid has been busy at work at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

City of Logan wildlife artist Ronelle Reid has left the studio for some real-life encounters.

Ronelle is participating in a week-long artistic residency at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.

The residency, which last Thursday (October 22), will give Ronelle time to observe and document the sanctuary’s wildlife.

Ronelle said the residency was an exciting opportunity to put an artistic focus on wildlife and nature.

“It’s great to be spending time sketching and photographing some of Australia’s iconic wildlife,” she said.

The Cedar Vale artist said she was also thrilled to be working with the sanctuary’s staff.

“They are as passionate as I am about sharing the importance of conservation of animals and their habitats.”

The work Ronelle creates as part of the residency will help develop artworks for her solo exhibition at Logan Art Gallery in late January next year.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary General Manager Michael Kelly said allowing Ronelle to sketch and record the sanctuary’s animals provided a creative way to share their message of wildlife conservation and education.

“Ronelle’s artwork, with its own powerful messages of conservation, complements our vision,” Mr Kelly said.

Inspired by her love of animals, Ronelle uses ink, oils and watercolours to create detailed, visual narratives exploring the relationships between animals and their changing habitats.

Her quirky compositions pair species who don’t coexist in nature.

Logan City Council City Lifestyle Committee Chairperson Laurie Koranski said Council looked forward to welcoming Ronelle to Logan Art Gallery as an exhibiting artist.

“It will be wonderful to see the works she produces as a result of her time at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary,” Cr Koranski said.

Ronelle’s Urban menagerie exhibition is from January 22 to February 27.

It is supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the State Government and Logan City Council.

/Public Release. View in full here.