Daphne, Floral figure is a Cypress Pine sculpture based upon a Greek myth. Daphne is pursued affectionately by Apollo. Exhausted, she transforms into a tree to avoid him. Peter Wohllenben, in The Hidden Life Of Trees 2015 describes trees and plants as complex organisms that can feel and communicate. On set for Mad Dog Morgan, actors David Gulpilil and Dennis Hopper disappear for three days. Philippe Mora asks “where have you been?” David replies “We went walkabout” Dennis adds “David was teaching me how to talk to the trees” Maybe Daphne, made of a tree will somehow communicate.
Mark Schaller is among Australia’s boldest and most respected mid-career artists. He was a founding member of the renowned ROAR Studios in 1982, which represented one of Melbourne’s earliest and fiercest artist-run-initiatives.
With limitless curiosity, Schaller creates vibrant, plentiful landscapes. His fluid line work and use of colour crosses themes private and public, all with a twist of irreverence.