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Martin King

Etchings and virtual-reality project: Where the wildlife falls – Exploring and evaluating the native flora and fauna in William Strutt’s painting, Black Thursday, February 6th 1851

Martin's project investigated the native flora and fauna depicted in William Strutt's iconic painting Black Thursday, February 6th 1851, resulting in a reinterpretation of Strutt's iconography in the light of contemporary thinking.

Strutt's painting shows native wildlife perishing in the foreground, attempting to escape the apocalyptic event of a bushfire, soon to be overrun by the torrent of domesticated animals and livestock and the human stampede.

This hierarchy of survival in the painting is perhaps a reflection of a prevailing attitude towards nature, where humans and livestock have primacy.

Martin's research resulted in a suite of etchings and the creation of an immersive virtual-reality environment that allowed viewers to enter Strutt's painting to experience the elements it depicts.

Artist Martin King works in printmaking, drawing, painting and animation. He has had over 40 solo exhibitions throughout Australia and exhibited in many group exhibitions, both in Australia and Internationally.

Martin has been the recipient of a number of prizes and awards and is represented in collections including the British Museum, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of NSW and Art Gallery of SA, as well as corporate and private collections.