Kate Shaw’s 2010 exhibition Phosphorescent at Nellie Castan Gallery in Melbourne marked a significant evolution in her exploration of landscape through synthetic color and materiality. Building on her signature technique of poured acrylics and resin, Shaw introduced a heightened luminosity to her landscapes, evoking the phenomenon of phosphorescence—where materials absorb and slowly emit light. This visual strategy transformed her imagined terrains into glowing, otherworldly environments, blurring the boundaries between natural and artificial, and inviting viewers into a surreal, dreamlike experience. The exhibition was noted for its interactive elements, enhancing the immersive quality of her work.

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Phosphorescence, as a natural phenomenon, involves substances emitting light after absorbing energy, creating a lingering glow. In the context of Shaw's work, this concept was metaphorically represented through her use of vivid, luminous colors and layered textures, suggesting landscapes that radiate an inner light. Her paintings captured the tension between the sublime beauty of nature and the synthetic manipulation of its representation, prompting reflections on environmental concerns and the human impact on natural landscapes.

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