It has been an incredible year. From Ballarat to Broken Hill, I'm grateful for the opportunity to work on projects that have been deeply immersed in the landscape, creating not just within, but for these environments and their communities. It is difficult to understand how, politically, there is such little respect for the arts, particularly when directly experiencing the impact of its presence, importance and engagement in the landscape. 

Thank you to everyone for your support of my practice, whether physically or digitally, it is greatly appreciated. I'll end the year with just one more quiet gesture; a work created with my son Yianni on a site that is always on my mind, the outskirts of Broken Hill - Barkandji Wilyakali land. It was created using remnant sections of fire hose. Like a stalactite, the cut sections are suspended in the space, hovering just above the red dust that is so symbolic of this region.

Whilst out photographing early one evening a visitor dropped by. A Wilcannia man, he asked if I had experienced spirits in these sites. I couldn't confirm the presence of anything especially tangible, but there was certainly something evident in the subtleties and quietness; light and sounds that lift and fall and tease you to pay attention.

In the background though (and if there are spirits, they are screaming for attention), the Barka (river) is in trouble as water is scarce. In the distance fires are burning with a heat that is unimaginable. The connection is palpable. Our friends, families and fireys are on the front line.


Stay safe out there

Fire Hose, Nine Mile, Barkandji Wilyakali land, 2019

Thank you