Peter Strain is a photographer and artist who captures the intricate details of marine life in his artwork. He has held several exhibitions of his photography and is now seeking to bring his art depicting nature to wider audiences. Strain plans to launch an online gallery selling art pieces like furniture and textiles printed with his marine-themed photographs. He hopes this will allow people to incorporate natural art into their daily lives and raise awareness of ocean conservation. Strain is currently preparing new collections for an upcoming exhibition, and intends to develop his brand and online presence, produce more merchandise, and pursue additional exhibition opportunities nationally and internationally.

1. art is not what you see
Edgar Degas
but what you
make others see

2. a purpose
“I have spent a lifetime observing our world through
the lens of a camera, much of it underwater and much
of it in pursuit of recording in detail the minute marvels
I see in the close-up macro world of art in nature.”

3. art and science
“The exhibitions, films and collections I have worked
with have won praise from colleagues in the scientific
and communications fraternity but because I do not
have a science background these accolades have
intrigued me. What is it others see in my work?
What they told me was they believed I had an eye that
intrigued the scientific mind.
However what I thought I saw was not ‘the science of
nature’ but what I now call intrinsic ‘art in nature’”.

4. I am in awe of nature
“I have gained the confidence to photograph and film
tiny details of life as I see it – as nature’s art.
I have had to become more of a photographic artist
than a traditional media producer or photographer.
I have shed the traditional constraints of didactic,
polemic and taxonomic definitions, to engage with
expressions of - the pure awe of art in nature.”

5. major public exhibitions

6. major public exhibitions

7. a connect with nature
“Unless the tide of indifference and disconnect can be
turned – we may allow to perish that which we do not
know.
The ‘scientific need’ to protect these beautiful undersea
communities is irrefutable, but the need to act reaches
beyond science; we now have a moral imperative to
change the way we see nature – and thus the way we
behave. ”

8. art for change
“I believe the bridge between scientific knowledge and
our spiritual or moral motivation is art.
Great art connects, it challenges our intellect and
inflames our passions, it burns indelible images into our
minds and brings to the surface ideas that have
meaning and significance to us – that create change.
I do not aspire to arrogantly tell people how to act – I
simply wish to make them realize why they must act .”

9. “Art is the lie
that enables us
to realize
the truth.”
Pablo Picasso
a purpose

10. bringing art to life
“For art to be relevant it has to be noticed.
Art is not something to be admired from a respectable
distance or just glimpsed briefly in galleries.
Art must be lived with, we need it in our lives on a daily
basis. We need to surround ourselves with it.
It should be like the air we breathe.
Art must be a force - refreshing us every day.”

11. art in daily living
Mosaic Seastar; Busselton Jetty
I now want to take this natural art and and present it in a way that enables
us to see it everyday. Not just as something framed on a wall but as
something that becomes an inseparable part of our lives, something that
nurtures us, something that we grow to love so much that we couldn’t see
ourselves living without it. The art of nature.

12. I want nature’s art in all our lives

13. my plan
“I intend to build an online
gallery of art pieces featuring
furniture and drapes that
people can view, purchase
and use in their homes,
offices and public spaces.
These art pieces will be
drawn from my themed art
collections and exhibitions”

14. Peter Hugh Strain
• Strong connections with marine science community in Western
Australia.
• Advocate for greater awareness of marine life values.
• A lifetime (still in progress) of engagement with sea life
narratives.
• A diverse and successful career background in television
production, commercial photography, diving, aquaculture,
commercial fishing, documentary production, underwater
photography and videography.
• Film and television practitioner with extensive camera,
producing and directing credits in broadcast and educational
production including a comedy TV series, rural current affairs
series, commercial production, corporate informational and
independent documentary production.
• Successful history of major project developments from ab-
initio to broad public success.
the producer

15. the photographer
• Photographic Artist, writer and media producer. Three major
exhibitions with repeat showings as travelling stills
photography and projection installation exhibitions.
• “Creatures of the Giant Tides” displayed at the Giant Tides
Gallery in Broome Western Australia for eighteen months.
Feature articles in Australian Geographic and Photo Review
Australia. Inclusion in Australian Geographic “25 years of
Australian Geographic Photography” coffee table book tribute.
• “Line of Sight – art meets science on Australia’s Kimberley
coast”. 3 months at WA Maritime Museum. Albany Museum
showing and Notre Dame University showing. Supported by the
West Australian Museum.
• “In an Octopuses Garden” ran for 5 weeks at the Alcoa
Mandurah Art Gallery in Western Australia.
• ”In an Octopuses Garden” is scheduled to show at the Art Geo
Gallery in Busselton from December 4 2015 through to January
10 2016
Peter Hugh Strain

16. the artist
• Strong body of work exhibited in museums and art galleries to
date.
• 2. Themed as marine art - now UNDERSEA ART
• 3. Significant press exposure – nat geo, photo review, doco,
newspapers, web.
• 4. Works have attracted a strong following of influential and
capable supporters in the marine science field, corporate
sponsorship, media arts and business people.
• 5. Peter Strain has a background of developing projects
successfully.
• 6. New exhibition about to launch provides an opportunity to create
firmer business, merchandise and creative opportunities. Art Geo
Gallery – Busselton.
• 7. Decision to create more furniture fabrics and clothing textiles
to consolidate the concept at the Busselton exhibition.
• 8. Need to establish Strain - Undersea Art alongside Peter Hugh
Strain branding during the period of the current exhibition and within
the following momentum period to create revenue models and
consolidate further project development.Peter Hugh Strain

17. my plan
• Create new textile pieces immediately for Busselton
exhibition (4 Dec 2015)
• Promote and sell textiles and prints via exhibition, web
and press
• Build web presence with social media, blog and web for
Strain Undersea Art
• Create strategic plan for Peter Strain Undersea Art.
• Develop new exhibitions – Under Yallingup, Nature of
Ningaloo and Bee Art.
• Engage cross media opportunities – particularly
documentary and web presence.
• Create merchandising products and stands during
Busselton exhibition.
• Get merchandising stands into Busselton venues
including jetty shops.
• Promote exhibitions for national and international
venues.

18. my plan
Develop current exhibition opportunities
“Line of Sight” and “In an Octopuses Garden”
Produce New projects:
“Nature of Ningaloo”, “Bee Art” and possibly “Under Yallingup”
• Build my online web presence and online gallery
• Create my first furniture and textile art collections
• Complete the Busselton exhibition
• Build partnerships with key stakeholders, supporters and ‘co-travelers’
• Establish a formal strategic plan and funding structure
• Publish materials from exhibitions – books, multi media and documentary
• Further design and market merchandising
• Build on the branding Peter Hugh Strain
• Build on the branding Strain – Undersea Art

19. 1 month – 3 months - 12 months

20. peter.strain@westnet.com.au
0421 553785