Photographer Leeroy Todd feels honoured to have his work displayed as one third of the trio of artists behind the 22.96 / receding exhibition currently on show at the Gympie Regional Gallery.
Mr Todd is the chronicler of the very human stories behind the devastating floods of February last year.
The name of the exhibition points to the height, 22.96m, at which the Mary River peaked at the Gympie Weir at 3.55am on Sunday, 27 February, 2022.
Mr Todd, who has lived in the region all his life said the sheer enormity of the flood really hit him this time when he had the opportunity to see it from above.
“I am used to seeing the water from the ground, but once you get above it, especially via drone or in the helicopter – then you really see the amount of water.
“The sheer amount of water is just incredible.
“When I got to fly above them and seeing recognisable landmarks engulfed, it was really quite incredible,” he said.
Mr Todd said with the amount of devastation that occurred it could be easy to become focussed on the negativity surrounding a natural disaster of this magnitude.
But for him, he took on the challenge of putting a positive spin on the experience for the people involved.
“I really wanted to paint the whole thing in a different light and take the positives from it to help with the healing and health of the community,” he said.
“It’s like what I got from Nick Green at PC Place.
“He said for him the most memorable aspect was the community engagement because straight after it happened he had people coming in with shovels and things saying ‘where can we help?’.
“And that’s what happens when things get tough – it brings everyone closer together,” he said.
Mr Todd said getting the chance to be part of the project and “shed a different light has been fascinating.”
He also loved getting to work closely with artists Miriam Innes and Joolie Gibbs, whose experience in the artist’s realm made the process that much more enjoyable.
“And this exhibition is very much for the community, and having the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee there and part of it is a strong point,” he said.
Mr Todd said the reaction from the community on the opening nights for the exhibition was also something very gratifying and thanked all involved for helping the two nights to come together smoothly.
You can see his work, and that of fellow artists Miriam and Joolie at the 22.96 / receding exhibition at the Gympie Regional Gallery until 15 April.
The exhibition is made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, administered by Flying Arts Alliance Inc. in Queensland.
Special thanks to the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee, Creative Arts Gympie Region, Artivive and Undersea Productions.
