Tamaki Makaurau based artists Sally Tagg and Carol Bucknell have spent years exploring
that ever-changing space between land and sea.

For Tagg, this has led to a fascination with the endless treasures she collects while walking her local beaches. Seaweed, shells and weathered starfish become starting points for her dream-like Sea Gardens.

It was a natural progression to incorporate these objects into an art practice that
has long been centred on botanical forms.
Tagg’s new work is about connection, where sea and garden botanicals fuse to form new
hybrid landscapes. They are both a celebration of beauty and a warning, as we are
confronted with environmental threats resulting in many of our ocean species being lost.

This new collection of work includes ceramic figures and sculptural pieces that depict
mermaid-like mythical sea creatures. Aligned with Sustainable Coastlines, Tagg has
chosen the most environmentally friendly materials to produce these works.

As a figurative oil painter living on Waiheke Island Carol Bucknell’s recent work focuses
on the people who spend time on its beaches, capturing the varied moods and mysteries
that the sea can evoke. She believes the sea and its tidelines are places that strengthen
the connection between humans and nature encouraging a deeper awareness of the
holistic nature of our place in the environment. This has resulted in a series of paintings of
contemplative semi-abstract figures, bathed in the vibrant colours and warm light of
Aotearoa.

Sally and Carol have worked together as photographer and writer for 20 years. With the
pandemic giving both more time to work on their art, and a shared concern for the marine
environment they began to consider a joint exhibition.

Tidelines is the result.