The Cybernetic Kangaroo (Rufus Macropus Cyberneticus) The year of 1994 saw the birth of a concept, a vision from the subconscious depths of the imagination of Shane Gehlert.
"Roboroo" shouted the excited children as they viewed the first painting in the series of Mechanical Macropods. Studded with rivets, armour plating glinting in the sun, the first kangaroo off the mark was raw and unrefined, but the basis of a series of works that would soon become an icon. "Why do you paint metal kangaroos?"
I am asked this question all the time!, quotes Shane. "To really understand the thinking of an artist is nigh impossible, but an artist's work is pure emotion and soul laid bare for public scrutiny!" "The Chrome Kangaroo is my symbolism, my own iconic mythological representation of a decaying socio-political quagmire of cultural nonsense!" quips Shane. "Perhaps if we armour plate our culture and chrome plate our
national identity, we can survive the impact of the new world order global economy Mack truck"! Since it's inception, Roboroo has taken many shapes and forms, sitting, hopping, melting, exploding, metamorphosing into a new form of Australian surrealism which is highly sought after. "I have only just started painting!" says Shane. "Five years into the
series and I am just beginning to touch the surface of the concept. Each new painting presents the opportunity to shape, remodel, refine the previous one. I set out to better the previous painting each time, sometimes with success, sometimes not!" Shane's concept of mechanical life has transcended to his "Desert Nymph" series. These paintings based on the myth of the "Nullabor Nymph" and Aboriginal legends are
extremely popular. Depicting the mechanical female form, reflecting on the desert heartland of the outback, the girls seem to transcend reality and gaze into the depths of the surreal! "I have only produced a few of these works, they are a real test of ability and anatomical knowledge " says Shane. Asked, which one is your best painting? Shane simply replies.. "Haven't done it yet!"
| 
