Southbank artist explores the fragility of coral reefs in new exhibition Shifting Currents

Southbank-based artist Lisa Sewards will unveil her latest exhibition, Shifting Currents, at Gallerysmith in Prahran until November 1, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the delicate world of coral reefs through sound and print.

Renowned for her poetic explorations of displacement, Sewards builds on themes first seen in her 2023 solo exhibition Driftwood with a new body of work that considers coral reefs as “a symbol of displacement in their own right.”

Describing coral reefs as “a symphony of purrs, pops, grunts, crackles and croaks,” Sewards’ works celebrate the hum of life beneath the ocean’s surface while drawing attention to the fragility of these ecosystems under climate stress.

“If coral growth cannot keep pace with rising sea levels, over 200 million people worldwide could be displaced,” she said, reflecting the urgent environmental realities that underpin her art.

The centrepiece of the exhibition, titled A Coral Symphony, is an assemblage of coral etchings inspired by Sewards’ visits to Ningaloo Reef and Lord Howe Island’s fringing reefs. Accompanying the piece is a specially created soundscape by Melbourne music artist @al_dente_____, allowing gallery visitors to experience the audible world of coral life – a nod to the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s Reef Song Project, which uses sound to attract fish back to damaged reefs.

Working from her South Melbourne studio, Sewards created each piece using non-toxic polymer gravure etching plates and hand-pulled prints on fine Japanese papers. The double-layered etchings, made with viscous inks and pigments, evoke both the fragility and resilience of reef ecosystems. Light, translucent surfaces are contrasted by deep inky hues, reflecting beauty intertwined with vulnerability.

“Balance, patience and respect are at the heart of this work,” Sewards said. “Coral reefs remind us to tread softly – they’re intricate, living communities that depend on harmony.”

Shiafting Currents not only showcases Sewards’ technical mastery but also serves as a timely meditation on environmental change. The exhibition reminds audiences that coral reefs are not only visual wonders, but vital lifelines for millions of species – including our own.

Shifting Currents runs from October 9 to November 1 at Gallerysmith, 40 Porter St, Prahran. Visit gallerysmith.com.au for more information.