The second work Union, created at the Rockhampton Art Gallery symbolically explores the relationship between past and present peoples through the use of materials. The coral and shells* represent the Kanomi while the plastic found on the shores of North Kepple Island represents current visitors to the island/us. The plastic, while attractive in some ways because it has been exposed to the elements, is also a ubiquitous leftover from our materialistic and possessive culture. The coral and shells are natural materials and evoke the symbiotic relationship the earlier indigenous people had with the environment. To continue the theme of failed relationships, there is an ironical play in ‘Union’ with the separate elements of U.N (United Nations) and ion, a mineral.
* Note the coral and shells have been collected by permission from the Environmental Protection Agency at designated sites and were returned to these sites at the end of the exhibition.
![union [1]](../images/union_full.jpg)
