Debra Livingston | Submersion | Maroochydore Library Artspace

Caloundra Regional Gallery in collaboration with Sunshine Coast Libraries proudly presents the next exhibition for the Maroochydore Library Artspace.

Debra Livingston is a photo-media artist, and lectured in photography at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith and the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. She practices both traditional and conceptual methods of photography with an emphasis on narrative and biographical concepts for portraits and environmental issues.

“Submersion records the deterioration of species through photographing decaying eco-material in water and placing native deceased insects, specifically delicate butterflies, to convey an environmental narrative. This series aims to communicate the dire consequences of climate change that continues to threaten our eco-systems.

I chose to focus on the impact of irreversible damage to the environment, particularly the devastation caused by unprecedented weather patterns and how these catastrophic events will impact us all. Fire and floods are now escalating around the world, either through dramatic seasonal changes or through deliberate destruction of the ecosystem
by human activity.

These photographic images present a porthole, a lens to focus our attention to the continuing decimation of nature in all forms, to increase awareness, to inform and to stimulate debate, vis-à-vis the destruction of eco-systems essential for our survival.” - Debra Livingston, 2024

Submersion was selected for the Open category of the annual Head On Photo Festival, Sydney, 2023. Debra has widely exhibited locally in Queensland, nationally in Melbourne and Sydney, and internationally in Chelsea, New York (NYC), Florida, Chicago, Paris and India. Her work resides in private and public collections.

The opening event will be held on Friday 1 November at 10am. Entry is free and all are welcome. Registration is essential.