Shared Waters explores the quiet, often unnoticed lives of native animals that inhabit Lake Benalla. The exhibition heroes species that exist alongside people’s daily lives yet remain largely unseen. Many people walk the lake’s edge every day without ever spotting a platypus, rakali, nankeen night heron or long-necked turtle. In some cases, without knowing these animals live here at all.

These species are elusive by nature, most active at dawn and dusk. As crepuscular animals, their lives rarely intersect with human routines, reinforcing their invisibility despite their constant presence. While the platypus is a well known resident and acts as the visual anchor of the exhibition, the surrounding works intentionally champion species that are less recognised and perhaps underrepresented in public narratives.

Stephanie Cartledge is a Ballarat-based multidisciplinary artist known for her large-scale murals and canvas works. Her practice blends an instinct for scale, colour and storytelling with a deep connection to nature and place. Whether painting murals in regional towns or developing works on canvas in the studio, Stephanie’s work reflects a strong resonance with the environment and community. Drawing on native flora and fauna, she explores people’s evolving relationship with the natural world through a distinctive visual language.