Exhibition protests sand mines

Artist Mark Schaller likes a challenge so when he heard about the Woodlands Exhibition he went on location to view one of Bass Coast's many massive sand mines.

Perched next to the highway he could feel the swish of the B double sand trucks passing metres away while he made visual notes of the mine moonscape, the sludge ponds and a tiny workers' hut in the distance. 

"Sand mining's clearly not a big employer," he notes drily.

As a Bass Coast local, he's very conscious of the mammoth B double trucks on the highways. He's read the State Government report forecasting 5000 truck movements a day on the South Gippsland Highway and fears for the future.

"I think local people need to know that's one every seven seconds over a 12-hour day. These are public roads, and they're being used and wrecked by private companies to make money. Then it's taxpayers who foot the bill to fix them."

Back in his studio he has brought the scene to life in a massive work called The Minefield.

While it represents a scene of environmental destruction, his customary boldness and vibrancy shine through and give it a kind of luminosity. The sand hills shimmer, the sludge ponds emit a toxic pink radiance and the Bass Hills glow red and blue in the distance. 

Schaller has donated The Minefield to raise funds for the campaign to stop mining in local woodlands.

It will form part of the Woodlands Exhibition in the Goods Shed, Wonthaggi, from June 21 - 23, and be auctioned at the end of the exhibition.

Save Western Port Woodlands convenor Catherine Watson said it was a generous gift from one of Australia's most successful artists, with works featured in many collections and galleries, including the National Gallery of Australia.

"We were thrilled to receive this work. You really have to see it in the flesh to appreciate it."

Veteran auctioneer Alan Bolding will conduct the auction, which is expected to bring some vigorous bidding.

Supporters can also bid for a woodlands T-shirt signed by the legendary eco warrior Bob Brown.

The auction will cap off an exhibition featuring works by renowned local artists.

Curator Ellen Hubble said it had been a thrill to watch the diversity and quality of the works as they arrived. All works will be for sale. 

The exhibition opens on Friday night, June 21, from 6 - 9pm, and runs on Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, from 10am - 4pm.

Artworks can also be viewed online at savewesternportwoodlands.org.

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