New exhibition at Bodalla Gallery helping remember and heal from the bushfires

The exhibition entitled '... dear life' by artist Jennifer Taylor is a collection of oil paintings on board inspired by Ms Taylor's experience of the fires.

She was near Bermagui when the Black Summer Bushfires hit, and has struggled to emotionally come to terms with her experience.

"Painting is my way of processing things," Ms Taylor said.

"Ever since the fires I have known I wanted to do some painting about them, but I haven't been ready until now.

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"These paintings are like turning around and facing something instead of running away from it.

"Traumatic memories can get stuck in your mind and you can't do anything. These paintings means I can do something. Hopefully it helps for others too."

She hopes the work will help others process their pain and trauma and will help the community to not forget the fires.

"I would like to make work that helps people to recognise the beauty in the things that they love and at the same time not forget the dangers and the fires," Ms Taylor said.

"Forgetting is dangerous, but you can get scorched if you dwell on the trauma too much."

'... dear life' is the third time Ms Taylor's work has been on display at Gallery Bodalla. The exhibition commences March 31 and runs until May 1. Gallery Bodalla is open 11am to 4pm Thursday to Sunday and by appointment.

Shipping issues caused by flooding in Northern NSW have prevented some of the exhibition from making it to Bodalla. The full exhibition can be viewed on the Gallery Bodalla website.