Art exhibition: Beyond the Ordinary - Kath Unsworth

Beyond the Ordinary is about our relationship with nature - how we watch it, imagine it, and try to feel close to it.

Inspired by her garden on the South Coast of NSW, Unsworth has spent many hours observing local birds and insects. Some of the works come directly from this careful looking, while others grow from imagination, storytelling and play. Together, they explore two ways we connect with the natural world: through quiet observation, and through imagination and emotion.

One group of artworks focuses on realism. These detailed pen‑and‑ink drawings show birds and insects exactly as they are, based on close and respectful observation. Over time, gold and bronze backgrounds and decorative paper borders begin to appear, lifting the animals into a glowing, almost sacred space. These works reflect the beauty, strength and vulnerability of nature - especially in landscapes shaped by bushfires and climate change. They invite us to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate wildlife as living beings that exist beyond our control.

The second group of works is playful and imaginative. Drawn in coloured pencil, these scenes show birds wearing crowns, sharing tea parties, and stepping into human‑like stories. These artworks come from a very human desire: to feel part of nature, not separate from it. While light‑hearted and humorous, they also gently ask important questions about how we treat the natural world, and whether our affection sometimes turns into control or fantasy.

Together, these two approaches create a thoughtful balance. Beyond the Ordinary doesn’t tell us there is one 'right' way to see nature. Instead, it celebrates both careful observation and imagination - reminding us that wildlife is ordinary in its presence, but extraordinary in the meaning we give it.