Antony Muia | Povera Bestia (detail), 2023, etching and chine colle, 32 x 22cm
Antony Muia's urban landscapes ponder humanity and the predicament of inhabiting planet Earth. This new series of prints and watercolour works on paper are inspired by the beautiful and quirky nature of life. His graphic and linear style is simple, playful and distinctive. The work makes clear and poignant observations of our human history and trajectory seen from an otherworldly perspective.
‘In today’s fragmented world where reality is constantly shifting and truth is all too subjective, humans have taken to manipulating nature to suit their whims, while attempting to maintain a veneer of moral superiority. As if building concrete jungles and pumping pollutants into the air is any better than swinging from a tree in the forest.
Contemplating interactions between humanity and the natural world is a topic that is as complex as it is absorbing. It’s like trying to decipher the meaning of frequent natural disasters, as just another way of Mother Nature saying "Surprise! You're not as important as you thought you were!"; reminding us that, despite our technological advances, we are still at the mercy of the elements.
The question of how humans interact with nature is a curious thing. On one hand, we have humans who think they are the masters of the universe and can bend nature to their will, like a Super Hero trying to control the elements. And on the other hand, we have those who want to live in harmony with nature, like hippies on a commune ‘down south’. But it's more like a dance. Humans take two steps forward by cutting down a forest, and nature takes one step back, releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It's like a never-ending game of eco-chicken.
Let’s also not forget about the human's love for labelling and categorising everything, including nature. Our outdoorsy lifestyle embraces the long, hot, dry summers – we enjoy national parks, coral reefs, wildlife reserves, etc. It's like we're trying to put nature in a box, like a wild animal in a zoo.
The relationship between humans and nature should be free from identity politics, like a game of chess, where both players are trying to outmanoeuvre each other. Just like in chess, there are many moves to be made and no clear winner in sight. But hopefully we can all agree that it's a game worth playing.’
Antony Muia, 2023
