Tag: nature

Mangroves from the Water: Our Recent Exhibition

On By Dr. Zahidah Zeytoun MillieLeave a comment

Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) Exhibition 24 April-3May 2026

Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) is a socially engaged multimedia art project and environmental campaign developed in collaboration with participating international artists and scientists. Initiated in the United Arab Emirates in 2014, the project has evolved over the past twelve years, encouraging new ways of seeing and understanding mangrove environments through multidisciplinary artistic practice and community engagement. The project also formed the foundation of Dr Zahidah Zeytoun Millie’s PhD research in Communication and Creative Arts, completed at Deakin University in 2025.

The most recent exhibition opened on 24 April 2026 at Barwon Heads Arts Hub and was partially supported by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA). It brought together Zahidah Zeytoun Millie’s watercolour sketches created from a kayak within the mangroves of the Barwon Estuary research site, alongside glass sculptures and acrylic paintings developed through five years of observing a single tree. These works were brought to life through choreography by Jacqui Dreessens and music composed by Demir Aliu. The exhibition also featured immersive works created in collaboration with Jacqui Dreessens and sound artist Pratyay Raha, a PhD candidate at RMIT University, Melbourne, together with a poem recited by Dr Diane Faye. Contributions by Year 5 students from Barwon Heads Primary School further enriched the exhibition. Collectively, these works sought to reconnect local audiences with the beauty and ecological significance of the surrounding mangrove environments.

Selected views of the MFTW exhibition, featuring works by Zahidah Zeytoun Millie and Pratyay Raha

Through artist-led engagement, a guided walk and talk with Jock Mackenzie from MangroveWatch and Rob Bone from the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, together with opening events incorporating artistic performance, the exhibition created opportunities for meaningful dialogue between art, science, and community. Local audiences gathered to learn about the environmental importance of mangroves and their role within local ecosystems.

At its core, Mangroves from the Water seeks to cultivate ecological awareness and foster deeper connections between people and environments that have historically been overlooked, misunderstood, or culturally marginalised.

A view of Seed of Life, cast glass sculptures by Zahidah Zeytoun Millie, based on the form of mangrove propagules.
A selection of photographs by Jacqueline Dreessens documenting Dancing in the Echelons: Finding Heritage in a Mangrove Ecosystem, a dance performance and short film.
Dance performance by Jacqui Dreessens, with music by musician Damir Aliu

Poetry by Dr. Diane Faye

The Mangrove Beach: From Degradation to Eco-Tourism Haven

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment

The Mangroves from the Water (MFTW) art campaign started in the UAE emirate of Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) with a touring exhibition (2015-2016) and a festival in 2017. We’re thrilled to see our efforts bear fruit. What began with degraded mangroves in UAQ has transformed into The Mangrove Beach, now a popular tourist destination with future plans for retreats and eco-tourism.

Our Highlights:

Degraded mangroves in 2017: Video

2021: Reserved mangroves transformed into The Mangrove Beach

2025: Luxeglamp UAQ opening – an eco-friendly glamping site with 10 glass-domed structures, private saunas, plunge pools, terraces, kayaking, nature walks, on-site spa, and restaurant. This project aims for carbon neutrality, aligning with Umm Al Quwain’s commitment to responsible tourism. Read the full article.

Join us in celebrating this incredible journey and the beauty of the mangroves and their beaches!

Before                 

                                                After

                                           Mangrove Beach in Umm Al Quwain

Zahidah Zeytoun Millie

www.mangrovesfromthewater.com

Instagram: mangrovesftw 

X: mangrovesFTW  & Facebook

Look at the dancers at Jacqui’s workshop

On By Stephanie Neville1 Comment

Jacqui Dreessens, from Wild Moves International, led a fabulously fun interpretive dance and movement workshop in conjunction with her live dance and video performance titled Echelons (2021) at the Mangroves from the Water exhibition. During the official opening day on Saturday 14 Aug, the participants followed her instructions to feel inspired by nature and mangroves to experience, interpret and become at one with nature.

Unfortunately a few participants had to remain in lockdown, but do spot out very own curator Zahidah busting some cool moves!

Introducing Helen Martin

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment
Helen Martin

Helen Martin gives us a glimpse into her studio with her work in progress. She explains her mediums – which includes homemade beeswax- and the inspiration she draws from the mangroves from various sites in Australia. She particularly appreciates the inter-tidal moments when you can spot all the little creatures roaming their habitat.

Please enjoy the video and pass by the Mangroves from the Water exhibition to view her work!

Schedule of events

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment

Here is the schedule of talks, events and performances during our exhibition:

Mangroves from the water

Gordon Gallery, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

26 July – 15 August

The exhibition will provide viewers with a range of media to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. The artists also hope to see discussions occurring throughout the exhibition in a series of colloquia.

The artists are:

Alexis Gambis, Nicola Cerini, Enrico Santucci, Deb Taylor, Richard Collopy, Jacqui Dreessens, Stephanie Neville, Geraldine Chansard, Peter & Helen Martin, and Zahidah Zeytoun Millie.

 The exhibition event will open on International Mangroves Day, 26 July, and end on 15 August 2020 during National Science Week (15-23 August).   Workshops on weaving, printing and painting will run during the multimedia exhibition and guest speakers will present related talks on mangroves and the Barwon region.

Guest speakers:

Date/Time Guest Speaker Location Title
15 Aug,

1000-1100

 Oskar Serrano Deakin University Coastal wetlands as weapons for climate change mitigation and time capsules of the human past
15 Aug, 1100-1200 Peter Martin Deakin University For the Beauty of the Earth

 

Workshops schedule:                                                                 

Date/Time Presenter Workshop Location Materials
31 Jul,

1000-1200

14 Aug,

1000-1200

7 Aug,

1000-1200

 Zahidah Zeytoun Millie Kayaking/water colour sketching. Barwon River, Barwon Heads

Hovells Creek

 Water colours, sketch book, kayak (self provided)
1 Aug, 1000-1600 Helen Martin Eco printing Point Lonsdale
2 Aug,

1000-1200

 

 Deb Taylor 2 hour collage

and paint

workshop

 Project Space Gallery
26 Jul,

1400-1500

 

8 Aug, 1400-6500

 

 22 Aug,

1400-6500

 Jacqueline Dreessens Environmental Dance  Interpretation The Project Space Gallery

Hovells Creek

School

theatre TBC
15 Aug,

0930-1230

 Nicola Cerini Interpreting the mangroves: printing on plywood The School of Lost Arts

 Live Performances

Date/Time Presenter Performance Location
Live music Project Space Gallery
26 July

1400-1500

 Jacqueline Dreessens Environmental Dance  Interpretation The Project Space Gallery

Introducing Malcolm Gardiner

On By Stephanie NevilleLeave a comment

We are proud to collaborate with Malcolm Gardiner, the president of the Land and Water Resources Otway Catchment (LAWROC).

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Malcolm Gardiner at Big Swamp
Posted 
Malcolm Gardiner at Big Swamp, a former wetland that was turned into an acid soil wasteland.
Photo courtesy of ABC South West Vic: Matt Neal     Available at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-12/malcolm-gardiner-at-big-swamp/11682278

LAWROC is a Landcare group which is actively involved in Barwon fighting for the protection on the Victorian Wetlands, specifically rivers and creeks in part of the Otways, south of Colac.

The desire to leave this world in a better shape than it has been found has been my major driving force.  A lack of truth, honesty and integrity from those authorities left with the task of looking after the world of the future has also been a driving force behind trying to look after at least one small area of the planet. – Malcolm Gardiner

Malcolm recently appeared on The Sustainable Hour and you can listen to the interview here: https://climatesafety.info/thesustainablehour303/.

He will participate in the Mangroves from the Water exhibition in Geelong, by displaying his books and hosting special talks. More information will be shared soon!