NallaRuer

The critical ecological art of Visual Artist NallaRuer constitutes a depth exploration of our original ''connective'' relationships within nature. These works re-introduce us to our ancient and ongoing responsibilities within nature and challenge our collective and culturally inherited dualism towards our Earthland. They are shaped by the artists depth attunement with the more-than-human world, this depth connection imbues his work with ecological intelligence and  connects this intelligence to the present and future. 

He describes his work as ''Painted Image-Stories'', they are his foundational practice. The making of these works and the paintings themselves provide an educational and initiatory energy for the emergent ecological narrative that flows through them.  They possess an inherent Earth connectivity and are deeply attuned to and associated with place, he describes them as communicating the psycho-ecological ''presence of place''. This is a foundational concept within his practice that allows him to use these artworks as tools for a depth exploratory process. They are an expansive reflection and embodiment of place, expressing the expanse from present, the here and now, through deep time. They are essentially ecological entry points into the intelligence of the ''connective'' web of nature, a knowledge mostly lost to us modern humans. These Image Stories and their depth ecological narrative show presence of place as being indelibly marked by those who honour the sacredness of their land. In these paintings ancient ancestral peoples who established potent and transformational ''Totemic relationships'' across the more-than-human world emerge to tell us their story of connective unity within nature.  Totemic relationships are understood in this context as intimate visceral identification across species, this extends to an intimate understanding of more-than-human persons as their initiators and guides. These stories tell us that Totemic relationships are the very currency by which humans are able to live in integrated unity within the nature system.

Understanding the vital nature of these unifying relationships and acting upon this knowledge is a foundational tenet for this whole art project. this includes the making and using of these works and the comprehending of their purpose. These paintings are therefore understood as the embodiment of the psycho-ecological presence of place telling the depth ecological story and accumulated wisdom of place.  These dynamic ecological artworks contribute to the re-establishment of art as initiatory tools and pathways, as portals that facilitate the restoration of Earth consciousness.

These works stand outside the paradigm of modern and contemporary art and instead bear a closer relationship to ancient ancestral art with their initiatory and maturational purposes.  The core value of this art is understood in the context of this original ancient purpose as tools for communal and individual maturational transitions and journeys toward ecological rites of passage.  There is an intrinsic demand in undertaking this work that the artist assumes the role and responsibilities of initiator and guide. These roles are seen as vital practice components in the actual dissemination and transmission of this work. This places this art and its practitioners as direct and central players in the psycho-ecological re-education of our modern human species.

There is no doubt when looking across the world community today, at both our modern human condition and the condition of our Earthland and its more-than-human inhabitants that there are very serious questions to be answered about the direction of our future.  Untold numbers of humans and more-than-humans are living lives of desperation and, for many, abject horror.  We have a wholly unjust and inequitable world and for many an extremely violent world.  We humans are living completely out of balance with ourselves and our Earthland. in fact, we continue to accelerate our huge destruction and damage of our natural living sphere.  It is obvious that we urgently need to re-evaluate and facilitate radically different social and ecological outcomes, a very different story for our human and Earth future.

This work is a taking of responsibility to place art at the forefront of ''the call to depth ecological consciousness'', a call that is resonating across the whole human and more-than-human world today. This demands a radical reshaping of our relationships with the entire more-than-human nature and the consequent radical changes to our living and working spheres. These artworks and their Earth processes are a significant contribution to establishing this change of relationship with nature.  They offer a grounding  in ''depth ecological consciousness'' as the foundational ''change agent'' for all ecological transformation and demonstrate a rare reclaiming of art as direct and vital tools to aid in this transformational process.

As a consequence of the dissemination and transmission responsibilities inherent in this artwork, the work of NallaRuer extends to the establishment of an Ecological Community and the design and delivery of ecological “Learning Pathways''.  These are both educational and developmental Pathways, they are a direct extension of the transformational, ecological purpose of the whole project.  They are designed for those on an ecological journey, providing maturational opportunities that build toward sequential ecological accomplishments.  They establish a platform to transition toward ecological maturity whilst operating from a sound foundational ecological consciousness.  These Pathways are a vital contribution to the psycho-ecological re-learning process that we all need to undertake.  A dynamic and far-reaching contribution toward establishing a platform for a changed relationship with our Earthland.

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