from Arnhem to Arnhem, recent work at Outstation gallery, Nov/ Dec 2011

From Arnhem to Arnhem - Outstation Gallery, November 18-december17

In September 2010 I participated in an art residency in the township of Renkum, within the municipality of the City of Arnhem in the Netherlands. The name Arnhem means place of many eagles. On the other hand, Arnhem Land in Northern Australia was so named by Matthew Flinders after a vessel of the Dutch East India Company during his circumnavigation of Australia. The area named Arnhem Land by Flinders was in fact all that part of Australia north of Australia, including Darwin and Katherine (Evans, 1995).

The contrasts and similarities between these places became the foundation of my creative practice whilst in the Netherlands which are intrinsically connected, by history and name. This involved documenting the leaves and plants found in the forests surrounding the city of Arnhem using cyanotype processes then dying the prints with plant pigments sourced back in the NT. As my art practice is heavily entwined with the methodology of weaving, this was a way to engage with the plant life in foreign surrounds. In the past weaving and harvesting planrt materials along with the use of a myriad of basket making processes has allowed me to create a relationship with Northern Australia. The exhibition embodies the long history of exchange between the Netherlands and Northern Australia.

Finland 2011

just got back from finland, was amazing but cold, i dont reccomend travelling from 10 degree weather to 30 degrees in a hurry, my body has just recovered from the shock. But was worth it. Why Finland?? you may ask. I was fortunate enough to be invited by artist Nancey Tingey who back in march, saw my 5 minutes of fame on abcs art nation. She was interested in my use of ghost nets as an artisticmedium as she is involved in an inter-univesity relationship between ANU (australia) Cumbria University (UK) and Novia Design School ( Turku, Finland) They have had a creative relationship and partnership over the past two years. They have maintained dialogue through a blog and have had several group exhibitions in Australia revolving around the theme of nets. So i was lucky enough to be invited to join them in Finland to talk about my involvement in Ghost net projects with Indigenous rangers and weavers in Northern Australia as well as share skills and insight into my own practice using recycled materials and basketry methodology to make art. We even went to the ekoturi ie dump shop in Finland, which felt like home.

sea horses