Supernatural: Beach to Bush

Supernatural: Beach to Bush is an exhibition of abstract landscape paintings inspired by the diverse natural beauty of our local region. The exhibition sits alongside a book launch of the same name Supernatural: Beach to Bush. This is the inaugural exhibition in the Christine Sharp Studio + Stockroom.

For her inaugural exhibition, Tamborine Mountain visual artist and author, Christine Sharp, has created a suite of atmospheric works, mostly large oil-on-linen paintings, evoking impressions and memories of being in nature, with colours and marks reminiscent of sunset skies, sandy shores, bushland and forests.

Launching as part of the exhibition is Sharp’s new book of the same name – Supernatural: Beach to Bush. The book contemplates the extraordinary natural beauty of the Gold Coast and hinterland. An independently produced publication, Supernatural is a photographic journey to some spectacular locations, guided by conversations with locals about their favourite natural places, and includes images of paintings created as part of an ongoing artistic practice exploring our connection with nature and sense of place. Featuring written contributions from thirteen Gold Coast locals, the book is personal, reflective, and deeply connected to place.

Sharp says, “We not only need nature, we are nature. Aqueous beings. Water in our cells, our bones. Atoms in our bodies that were once in plants, animals, minerals. Stars. Us in nature; nature in us. We’re one. I’m delighted to invite people to experience a deeper connection to south-east Queensland, a place I love and find daily inspiration, through the book and exhibition.”

Supernatural: Beach to Bush will be launched by well-respected Koa (Guwa), Kuku Yalanji, Yimithirr woman, Jo-Anne Driessens, photographer, curator, consultant and Artists in the Black Coordinator with Arts Law Centre of Australia, to Acknowledge Country and launch Supernatural: Beach to Bush, the exhibition and book.

Christine Sharp’s studio and artistic practice is based in south-east Queensland’s most coveted, and recently identified most liveable small town* in Queensland, Tamborine Mountain. It is part of the contemporary North Stores arts precinct, located on Main Street, North Tamborine. The precinct opened in 2021, during the COVID-19 border closures. Despite the challenges COVID-19 presented, the North Stores cultural precinct has been a gamechanger for Tamborine Mountain, featuring world-class food by renowned chef, Brenda Fawdon and sustainable design by Sonja Drexler.