31/08/2026
Nature’s Offering. 🐠
The story behind ‘Nature’s Offering’ is almost as extraordinary as the artwork itself.
“This Giant Oystercracker or Permit, is probably the most sustainably sourced fish in my current exhibition. In 2023, the morning after my very first exhibition in Townsville, I took my parents to a secluded beach for a fish. On arrival, my mother spotted something very surprising.
A large fish had beached itself at high tide and gotten stuck as the tide went down. I could see the impression in the sand where the water had gone down around this stranded fish. I couldn’t believe it, it was a Giant Oystercracker. A prized sports fish for fly fishermen, that had literally presented itself on the beach to us. It was still quite fresh, so I rushed to take it home and got the initial prints off the fish. I have held on to them until now, waiting for an opportunity to showcase this amazing fish.” — Stephen Coombe
A remarkable encounter! And on view now at Side Gallery.
Artwork
Nature’s Offering 2023
Sumi ink and acrylic on Washi Paper
53.5 × 83 cm
SIDE GALLERY
sidegallery.com.au
Curated by Laura Ly
