Barn Bluff

The Central Highlands Bushfires of 2016 were for many Australians, the canary in the mine in terms of signalling the catastrophic impacts of Climate Change. In a tradition akin to environmental dystopian literature “Setting Fire” draws on a historical context to imagine a new rendering and places the iconic Barn Bluff at the centre of a smouldering landscape. The walking track has dissolved into ash as the sludge and slurry rolls off the canvas frame (marked by heavy palette knife work). There is no time here for the ‘beautiful landscape’ as the sky masquerades as both villain and hero.

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Phillip McKay is a Tasmanian artist who graduated from the
School of Art, UTAS in 1999. He is a previous winner of the
MONA scholarship and has been a finalist at the Mossman
Art Prize, Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and Pro Hart
Outback Art Prize. His works are included in public
collections at MONA, Government House, Tasmania and in
private collections in Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Tokyo, London and
Amsterdam. Alongside his professional practice Phillip has
taught art in correctional and mental health facilities and
within the Youth Justice system in Australia and in the UK.