Amanda Laing and Katherine McNamara | They May Be Small

Amanda Laing and Katherine McNamara | They May Be Small

LEFT: Katherine McNamara, Little Fish, Big Problem, #28, 2025. Acrylic Paint and Pen on board, 30 x 30cm. RIGHT: Amanda Laing, Beestjes - AntFly, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 130cm.

6 Aug 2026  16 Aug 2026

Amanda Laing and Katherine McNamara | They May Be Small

LEFT: Katherine McNamara, Little Fish, Big Problem, #28, 2025. Acrylic Paint and Pen on board, 30 x 30cm. RIGHT: Amanda Laing, Beestjes - AntFly, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 130cm.

DatesThursday 06 August to Sunday 16 August
Times10:00am — 3:00pm
CostFree
BookingNo bookings are required to visit the exhibition. Opening Event: Saturday 8 August 2026 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM Artist Talk: Sunday 9 August 2026 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Bold contemporary artworks exploring nature, waste, and the impact of small things.

Amanda Laing and Katherine McNamara present artworks that explore the wonder of the natural world and the importance of protecting the natural environment.

Grounded in a mindfulness approach Laing’s work brings into focus insects however insignificant in size, to highlight not only their wonder but important role in the biodiversity and vitality of our natural world. Drawing upon her love of botanical art and cultural heritage, her works are a nod to the Dutch Golden Age masters' fascination with ‘beestjes’ of the natural world.

McNamara’s bold, pop-inspired works explore the environmental impact of single-use plastics through the familiar plastic soy fish, showing how small everyday items can create lasting pollution and harm to the natural world.

While exploring serious environmental issues, both artists use impactful colour, playful imagery, and strong visual design to create works that are eye-catching, accessible, and thought-provoking.



Acknowledgements

This exhibition is supported by

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Past Exhibitions and Events

Pink Lemonade

Keira Percy, Pink Lemonade, 2026. Digital Drawing. Image Courtesy of the Artist.

Ipswich Community Gallery Exhibition

Pink Lemonade

05 Jun 2026 — 14 Jun 2026

Charlie Donaldson, Joh's Vortex, 2025. Archival print, 59cm x 42cm.

Ipswich Community Gallery Exhibition

Moonlight States

21 Nov 2025 — 30 Nov 2025

Lost Trades
Ipswich Community Gallery Exhibition

Lost Trades

20 Feb 2025 — 02 Mar 2025

Reading is Magic: Story Arts Festival Ipswich
Ipswich Community Gallery Exhibition

Reading is Magic: Story Arts Festival Ipswich

04 Aug 2024 — 17 Aug 2024

Strong Roots Rising

Connecting to Country, photograph Sarima Chong 2022

Ipswich Community Gallery Exhibition

Strong Roots Rising

15 Jun 2024 — 14 Jul 2024

Connections: The Marburg and District Art Society
Ipswich Community Gallery Exhibition

Connections: The Marburg and District Art Society

18 Apr 2024 — 28 Apr 2024

Robin 'Tallman' Wakkajinda

Photo credit: Craig Myers

Ipswich Community Gallery Exhibition

Robin 'Tallman' Wakkajinda

10 Nov 2023 — 13 Nov 2023

Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence
Ipswich Community Gallery Exhibition

Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence

14 Oct 2023 — 05 Nov 2023