Devastating KI bushfires elicit inspiration from incredible survivor and local artist, Caroline Taylor

Artists Collective, Kangaroo Island Inc, Media Release, 26 March 2021

It’s hard to contemplate that the devastating bushfires that ripped through Kangaroo Island in December 2019 could have had any positive influences.

But for local artist Caroline Taylor – who experienced the terror of the fire firsthand- the tragic event has provided a platform to capture the strength and resilience of the environment – as the Island gradually recovers.

Caroline is exhibiting two oil paintings “5.46pm Twentieth December 2019” and “Shelter in the Aftermath” in the highly-regarded Kangaroo Island Easter Art Exhibition which begins on April 2.

The inspiration for both pieces is Caroline’s remarkable and devastatingly close brush with death during two separate infernos in December 2019 and January 2020.

In the afternoon of December 20 2019, Caroline, along with some European tourists, huddled against the cliffs at Western River Bay, trying to escape the pounding winds.

“The winds grew even more severe so we went back to my house. But the sight of the fire about to engulf the house, sent us fleeing back to the beach,” Caroline said.

“It was terrible, such incredible voluminous smoke. It was an experience that I hoped I would never see again. Such impending doom,” she said.

Caroline said she had never experienced such treacherous conditions and, frighteningly, she and the tourists went separate ways.

“For three hours I was lying in the water with a towel on my head. There were embers falling into the water. Everywhere around me was black, billowing, very angry and absolutely wild.”

However, she did experience it again – just days later on 3 January 2020, when a second – even more ferocious bushfire – gripped the same section of the Island.

“It was much more terrifying the second time around. We had no power or any means of communication.”

Caroline’s second painting depicts an old kangaroo sheltering under a tree. She saw him there days after the second fire.

“There were Cypress pines at the back of our property which were planted about 100 years and we often notice that kangaroos go there to die,” Caroline said.

“After the fires there wasn’t even a blade of grass for them to eat. We ended up feeding them bales of hay and I suspect he (the old kangaroo) managed to survive.”

Chair of the Exhibition’s convening committee, Dr Peggy Rismiller, said it was an honour to have Caroline’s incredible art on display.

“The Exhibition was meant to be held in 2020 but it was a shattering and distressing year for many people as a result of the bushfires and then the covid pandemic.”

“I know Caroline’s work will inspire a lot of conversations about the impact the bushfires had on the Island and I thank her whole-heartedly for sharing such an incredible story,” Dr Rismiller said.

The Exhibition will be judged by Rhana Devenport, the Director of the Art Gallery of SA and Emma Fey, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Guildhouse.

It will be the 35th anniversary of the now biennial event – which will be held at the Penneshaw Town Hall from Good Friday.