De Rerum Natura Exhibition

De Rerum Natura by Lucretius, or "On the Nature of Things," is a first-century BC didactic poem that poses an answer to the unknown—in that it remains unknown, but trust there is a process working behind everything spiritual and mystical. Philosophies that humans still muse on today.

Northern Beaches-based Marisabel Gonzalez came upon this text and found inspiration in its pages for her exhibition De Rerum Natura: On the Matter of Things. As a medical practitioner and artist, she tries to understand humanity through the natural world. Through her investigation into the body, a sonographer finding patterns and symbols on the screen, she also adds a layer as an artist finding the divide between art and medicine. The artworks are the layers of these medical images and ones taken of the landscape.

 The results are moving gestural abstract paintings. A powerful energy with mixed mediums dancing across the canvas in varying hues. Patterns, processes, visuals, and concepts/context all unite, coming together in equal importance. The exhibition reveals how, when the human body and nature join in art, it can evoke a spiritual process and help muse on the meaning of life. 

Written by Emma Kate Wilson

 

Gallery Lane Cove | Sydney, Australia | 2025

An art gallery displaying four colorful abstract paintings on a white wall, under track lighting with a gray carpeted floor.
An art gallery with white walls displaying colorful paintings. Track lighting illuminates the artworks, and emergency exit signs are visible. The gallery appears to be spacious with a dark floor.
An art gallery with white walls and gray floors displaying colorful abstract paintings. Track lighting illuminates the artworks, and there is a green exit sign visible on the ceiling.
An art gallery with three large abstract paintings in vibrant colors hanging on white walls.
Interior of an art gallery with three abstract paintings on a white wall illuminated by multiple ceiling lights.
Two large abstract paintings are displayed on the walls of an art gallery. The left painting features a warm palette with yellows, oranges, and greens, while the right painting uses cooler tones like blues and greens. The paintings are mounted on bla
Two abstract paintings with soft pastel colors hanging on a plain white gallery wall.
Two abstract paintings with predominantly blue and purple tones are displayed side by side on a white gallery wall, each with colorful brushstrokes and textured surface, illuminated by ceiling track lighting.
A colorful abstract painting on a white gallery wall, featuring a muted brown background with scattered vibrant splashes of red, pink, orange, green, and purple across the lower half.
Black and white scientific or technological display with various readouts and graphs, set on a white stand in a room with curtains and windows.
A large display screen showing a detailed 3D visualization or scan of a material surface, possibly for scientific or industrial analysis, with numerous annotations and statistical data on the right side.