Melbourne-based artist Steven Rhall and Natimuk artist Dave Jones will feature in In debt: saving seeds.

Horsham Regional Art Gallery director Adam Harding said the artists worked closely with the Australian Grains Genebank in Horsham.

‘‘Rhall is a Taungurung man and has been working with genebank predominantly using his photographic background in making images of seeds and other materials on site,’’ he said.

‘‘Jones is collaborating with students from Natimuk Primary School and the genebank to illuminate our farming future.

‘‘Through a series of images and animations, these stored seeds come to life to revegetate the Wimmera.’’

Rhall said his week in Horsham provided a wealth of inspiration.

‘‘Working with the genebank has been been an amazing experience rich in inspiration, particularly with its primary materials and the myriad of ways they are managed and scrutinised,’’ he said.

‘‘This facility and its place in Australian agriculture – historically and culturally – provides both a snapshot of a simpler time, contrasted by the ultra-high technologies currently employed.

‘‘I’ve learnt a lot about the work of the staff here and its importance both for the Wimmera community and more broadly, the global population.’’

Genebank leader Sally Norton said the exhibition was a great opportunity to bring science and art together.

‘‘The general public has a huge fascination with genebanks and seeds, and we enjoy providing an opportunity for artists and the wider community to gain some appreciation of the scientific and global importance of facilities such as ours,’’ she said.

‘‘These seeds are often beautiful and they, like so many things in nature, lend themselves to being an excellent topic for artists to explore.’’

The exhibition opens at the gallery at 7pm on Friday night.