An upcoming exhibition by local multi disciplinary artist Serena Kuring at the Cairns Regional Gallery entitled Umwelt - seeing sounds hearing colour, will challenge audiences sense of their world based on their abilities to interpret and process that world.

Umwelt, a German word, refers to (in ethology) the world as it is experienced by a particular organism. It has also been used to mean “environment” or “surroundings” and has been translated to the term “self-centred world”.  Theorised, organisms can have different umwelten even though they share the same environment.

Whilst the notion of “umwelt” to the human person has been contested, it is argued that the human person lives in “welt” (world) while it is claimed plants and animals do live in an “umwelt”.

“Generally we wouldn’t question that there are other ways of seeing the world, but each animal, even each person, has their own sense of reality based on their different abilities to interpret and process the world in which they live,” says Kuring.

The multi disciplinary artist is a current Honours student at James Cook University, having completed a Bachelor of Creative Industries with a Visual Art Major in 2014 and receiving the Academic Medal for Bachelor Coursework.

The inspiration for the exhibition has been the culmination of a research project on synesthesia and how it manifests in the brain.

“My reality is influenced by synesthesia, which causes me to see what I hear and simultaneously, and often, hear the things I see. The aim is to communicate and educate the community about different ways of seeing.” says Kuring.

Claiming that art is another way of communicating these ideas that traditional science may not, it was after travelling overseas and experiencing art from different parts of the world that inspired her research.

“I began to learn more about the history of different cultures, their economic and political state in ways that news reports couldn’t offer me. This inspired me to direct my arts practice as a way of bringing information to an audience in simply a different format. I recognise that artists have a special capacity of seeing the world and I want to use this ability to bring about knowledge,” said Kuring.

With her sights set on carrying this research through to her Phd in 2016, the exhibition Umwelt is based on Kuring’s research into the recent neuroscientific discoveries that surround the phenomena.

Currently working in the art department at Trinity Bay State School she is passionate about encouraging young people to pursue a creative future.

“Education can offer insight and understanding and I’m driven to show this in hope that others can reflect on the idea and be a little more tolerant of others.

“Creativity is integral to innovation and solving the problems we experience both locally and globally. Art is just another way of communicating ideas in exciting and engaging ways. It has the power to direct thinking and challenge viewers.

Offering some advice to anyone young or old viewing contemporary art, Kuring says “there’s nothing secretive about contemporary art.

“You just have to be open to learning. Next time you see an artwork that you don’t like, go up to it and learn about what it’s saying. If we all just stick to what we know, then there’s nothing more you will know,” suggests Kuring.

After studying for four years and planning for her Phd next year, her current plans are to spend some much need time with her husband Ben Kuring, who has been her sounding board for creative ideas and projects and a a major impact on her artist direction.

Exhibition opens 2nd October at Cairns Regional Gallery.