MATERIAL WITNESS

Material Investigations

This project investigates the profound environmental and cultural impacts of colonization on the Australian landscape, reflected not only in the landscape but in everyday life—including the fading visibility of the night sky once vital to Indigenous cultures. Through the creation of a hand-woven cape and artefacts—constructed exclusively from sustainable wool, found, or upcycled materials—the installation invites reflection on themes of loss, survival, and our place within the universe.

The central artwork, a handwoven full-length cloak inspired by traditional forms, is complemented by three artifacts that reflect nature’s loss and the ongoing effects of colonisation, offering a visual narrative of memory, resilience, and cultural connection amid environmental transformation. The cloak, ‘Aurora’ is a wearable artwork, measuring 84 cm wide by 330 cm long, handwoven and hand-dyed using natural, sustainably sourced wool to depict the night sky.

Inspired by the opposition between King George III lavish royal robe, symbolizing colonial power and material wealth, and the Aboriginal possum skin cloak—crafted with purpose, belonging, and ultimately returned to the earth—this work explores our interconnectedness with land and history. The cloak will be displayed with an interior wire scaffolding positioned to give the cloak a support, providing form without explicitly showing human presence.

The accompanying artefacts include a maireener shell necklace, crafted by twisting hand-dyed wool yarn into unique threads and meticulously stitched into individual shells. The maireener shell is culturally significant to Palawa women who have used the shell to create necklaces. Making a shell-like object is my way of honouring this tradition, highlighting the natural beauty of the shell. The maireener shell is now in decline in Tasmania due to the disappearance of the kelp forests.

Other artifacts include a hand fan, constructed using sustainably sourced paperbark with each segment illustrating endangered native plants and a rust-dyed, wool frill collar encased with eucalyptus nuts, weaving together themes of nature’s fragility and cultural heritage.

Material Investigations will be displayed as an installation in a gallery setting. The shell necklace, fan and collar will be displayed like antiquities on separate plinths under Perspex cases, allowing the viewer to walk around each piece with the cloak as an overseeing presence.

This project reflects on the profound loss of biodiversity and environmental change in Australia since European arrival. Every aspect—handwoven, sewn, or assembled—prioritizes sustainability and environmental ethics, in direct dialogue with closed-loop traditions. The installation seeks to provoke an emotional response to Australia’s environmental fragility, foster respect for Indigenous custodianship, and invite reflection on humanity’s place within a vast, interconnected universe.