Read

Man & Wah’s Cosmic Dusk captures a moment in time

July 23 2020

There’s a stunning work of art on our entrance terrace just ready to greet you next time you come to visit us.

Created by artists Man & Wah, and commissioned by HOTA, Cosmic Dusk was inspired by the twilight moments along the beaches and shorelines of the Gold Coast. A moment of time on earth where the colours of day and night merge to create a calming glow of soft tones and hues, this work eventually transforms into darkness to reveal the glow of an infinite night sky. Man & Wah remind us that we are very much part of a greater process unfolding on earth.

#Man & Wah Works

Ruth Della, Curator, Public Art and Outdoor Programming told us:

‘Brothers Man & Wah have created a wondrous new vista of meticulously photographed botanicals in a stunning new 11m artwork for the Entrance Terrace. The striking scene is inspired by a moment of time along the pristine Gold Coast shoreline.

‘Man & Wah, who live and work in Australia, produce visual works and large installations which explore the theme cosmic existence, celebrating the beauty and diversity of nature. The brothers elegantly weave art and science in their practice and have collaborated on a diverse series of projects – from artist residencies in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil to photographing and designing speciality books with Singapore’s Gardens By The Bay. Throughout their artistic practice, Man & Wah have captured and acquired an extensive bank of nature-inspired content from all over the globe; such as flowers, leaves, seeds, rock minerals, fruits, vegetables, insects, sea life and fungi specimens.

‘Using nature as a reference point, Cosmic Dusk examines the relationship between human experience and the natural environment in the context of cosmic existence. There is a visual play on time and space through Man & Wah’s perception of the cosmos as a layered and wondrous infinity in which we all exist. Man & Wah’s “cosmic floral portraits” are a central creation within their practice, highlighting the refinement, elegance and “spirit” of nature. The use of unique photographic techniques which they have developed and refined without the use of digital manipulation to arouse a sense of floating in the cosmos. Each image depicts the remarkable anatomy and vivid colours of the plant with ethereal qualities.

‘Cosmic Dusk naturally progressed toward an epic symmetrical panorama, with the right and left side mirrored to manifest as a fractal mandala pattern. Man & Wah explain, “the repeated symmetry and plant patterns of Cosmic Dusk symbolises the eddies of existence. The cycles of birth and death, endings and beginnings, the changing of seasons, rising and setting of the sun, the moon cycle, and the complex dimensions that influence the intricate web of life on earth and throughout the cosmos.”

‘Cosmic Dusk asks us to reflect on our relationship with nature and its direct link to our wellbeing to appreciate our role in sustaining a liveable planet. Symmetry in nature is beautifully represented in the plant selection used by Man & Wah, which resulted from visits along the east coast of Australia, including the Gold Coast.’

Perhaps you can recognise some of these plants from your daily surroundings?

Great St John’s Wort, Jerusalem Star (Hypericum calycinum)
Matchstick bromeliad (Aechmea gamosepala)
Large Leafed Orange Mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorhiza)
Red flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia)
Butterfly tree leaf (Bauhinia variegata var. Candida)
Yellow Aster flower

#About Man & Wah

Man & Wah produce visual works and large installations which celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature from around the world, exploring themes of biodiversity and cosmic existence. The works invite deeper reflection of our relationship with nature and to appreciate the role it plays in sustaining a liveable planet.

Formally trained as a photographer, Man studied at the Queensland College of Arts, Griffith University and holds a BA in Photography with a double major in Photographic Art Practices and Commercial Photography.

Wah is formally trained as an illustrator and graphic artist, holds a BA in Design, Majoring in 3D Design from the Queensland College of Arts, Griffith University.

Artwork Credit:
Man & Wah. Australia. Cosmic Dusk 2020 (detail). Digital print on PVC. Courtesy of the artist