Running until November, the exhibition immerses its visitors in an environment like no other. Photo: Morgan Kenyon.
Mangrove forests truly exist in a world of their own. Almost alien, they are staunch protectors of hidden places where the land meets the sea; where earth and water intertwine in a tangle of roots, brine and unique wildlife.
Canberrans can catch a glimpse of the secrets of this fascinating biome at Questacon this year at Mangroves – Tales from the Tide.
Running until November, the exhibition immerses its visitors in an environment like no other.
Rhythmic chirping of cicadas and echoing birdsong are set to a backdrop of stunning real-life footage from Darwin’s mangrove forests, underneath the famous suspended moon sculpture of Gallery 8.
In the midst of it all are three patchwork denim pillars, each depicting the many species of flora and fauna that define this stunning biome. More than 50 needlefelt creatures can be found at their feet – keep an eye out for George the mudcrab and Larry the lobster, joined by an army of soldier crabs and adorable mudskippers.
The exhibition is the work of long-time textile artists Melanie Tribe, Jasmine Jan and Barbara Williams. They all call Darwin home and have fond memories of exploring the mangroves, both as children and adults.
Jasmine works at a crossroads between art and science, using textiles as a conversation starter to teach everyday people about the wonders of our natural world.
“Science can seem a bit dry or intimidating to the layperson, so I use art to draw people in and pique their curiosity,” she says.
“I have great memories growing up visiting the mangroves with my friends, hunting for longbums and other bush tucker.
“They’re my forests – forests of the sea filled with incredible resources and wildlife. They’re so diverse, with so much to capture, I could see myself working with them for the rest of my artistic career.”
Mangroves are crucial protectors of coral reefs and seagrass beds. Powerful filters catching any nasties on their way to the ocean, the forests and their wild roots act as a buffer against tsunamis, cyclones and erosion.
They also provide critical habitat for native species and store up to five times more carbon than other forest types, for far longer.
Hundreds of hours have gone into this exhibition to highlight the diversity, beauty and importance of mangrove environments. Jasmine and her fellow artists are beyond excited to showcase their work.
“I love the needle-felted soldier crabs, created by Melanie Tribe,” she says. ”They’re so cute, and so are the little mudskippers, which all have their own facial expressions and personalities.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to have an exhibition at Questacon, so it was sort of just putting it out into the universe, and to see it come back around is absolutely amazing.
“The team has done a brilliant job displaying digital stories and live footage from inside the Northern Territory’s mangrove forests to go along with our denim art.”
Questacon director Jo White hopes exhibition visitors will come away with a newfound curiosity about some of the wildest places in Australia.
“Mangroves – Tales from the Tide will transport you to the Top End of the Northern Territory to experience the beauty of our native mangrove forests and understand more about their importance in nature and Indigenous Australian culture,” she says.
“The mangroves are definitely the heroes of this exhibition, but I also love all the one-of-a-kind creatures that express the unique diversity of Australian mangroves using denim and felt.
“To anyone coming for a visit, I would say take the time to really become immersed and enjoy yourself. You might just become a bit of a mangrove expert by the end!”
Mangroves – Tales from the Tide is open now and runs until November 2025 at Questacon, in Gallery 8. Entry to the exhibition is included in general admission.
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