Bing Dawe - Dowsing and Divining

“The Canterbury Mudfish, Kokopu, Common Bully and Stargazer all occupy waterways throughout Canterbury, making their homes in wetlands, streams, river margins and even drains. None are consumed as human food (aside from the Kokopu in its infant form as whitebait), but all contribute to the natural cycle of life on the Plains as feed for birds and larger fishes. Yet all are threatened by man’s need for food through habitat degradation caused by changes in land use and the encroachment of agriculture.” -Christine Whybrew, August 2010.

As always, Christchurch artist, Bing Dawe combines craftsmanship and beauty in his artwork, whilst delivering a tough subject. In Dowsing and Divining an exhibition of cabinet works and works on paper Bing Dawe draws our attention to these small fish and their changing environment, which is being altered by man’s needs not theirs.

Divining rods, commonly y-shaped, are used to dowse for water. Although not a scientifically proven method to find water they represent for many a spiritual hope and desire. Referenced here by Bing Dawe he reminds us to work “…with landscape in a more sensitive way; through knowledge...”

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