projects
wurdi youang
An ancient stone arrangement called Wurdi Youang is strategically located within the vast Wadawurrung region. As anthropologist, I have studied this extraordinary site for 16 years using data from archaeologists, anthropologists and historic and visual representation as cultural mapping. I explain how the rich natural resources of Wadawurrung space supported and determined living arrangements via the diversity of locations. Working alongside the Traditional Owners, we uncover natural grasslands and the specific and strategically located stone arrangement site. Wurdi Youang may hold the key to the Wadawurrung teachings of Country,sacred sites, hunting grounds and seasonal movement within this region.
Listen to Pulse FM Radio interview "Wurdi Youang" March 2016
http://947thepulse.com/index.php?option=com_programguide&task=viewprogram&cat=19
wadawurrung living space
Wadawurrung land extends from the Werribee River to Stawell, from Ballarat to Aireys Inlet. My role for this exciting project is to study natural resources that provide the understanding of living spaces for the Wadawurrung people via seasonal movement, resources for barter, everyday use and camp bases. Microsystems extend from river systems, lakes, coastlines, woodlands, swamplands and grasslands, and most importantly the volcanic belt that stretches from Geelong to Warrnambool. This region holds remnants of ancient stone huts, stone arrangements and fishing traps. My research on Wadawurrung Living Space is ongoing and provides research for Wadawruung, Parks Vic, Geelong City Council and more.
wall to wall festival
March 18th - 20th 2016 Benalla, Victoria.
The Wall to Wall Festival comprised of 14 artists, 7 male and 7 female creating large wall murals throughout Benalla. This is the second annual festival curated by Juddy Roller Studios and the Benalla Street Art Committe. My role as anthropologist was to conduct three days of fieldwork recording the event including interviews, observation and note taking. The data collated was presented in report format to Juddy Roller Studios, the Benalla Street Art Committee, Benalla council and Federal MP Cathy McGowan. Space and location, community identity and reaction as well as the interaction between artists and the public were key elements in the outcome of the report.
powerhouse geelong
My involvement with Powerhouse Geelong has been varied, from artist to event organiser. As anthropologist I have interviewed over 15 artists about their background in street art and graffiti and the representation of their work. I observed and noted the Powerhouse projects and have incorporated research into street art and graffiti writing throughout the world on a public space perspective. I have collated this information ready for a book to be published soon. This research will contribute to education programs from all ages and ranges in understanding graffiti writing and street art from a ground roots perspective.
street art and graffiti writing:
'From Hip Hop to Humanitarian: How political actions of the State transgress to political images on the streets and evidently create a political divide between graffiti writers and street artists.’ Heather Threadgold, 2015.
Robbo V Banksy - This documentary outlines a war between an ‘old school’ graffiti artist, Robbo and his rival, the contemporary celebrity street artist Banksy, both equally famous. The program highlights examples of the contrast between street style and politically contested public space. The ‘war’ that this documentary describes is between two individuals as well as two groups of artists and a public consensus drawn from the political aspects of the State depicting what style of art is acceptable and what is not.
Graffiti - Throughout the world, buildings and advertising in public spaces is placed within cities without consent of the public and this, graffiti artists argue, is a space the population inhabit and wish to enjoy. Public space, they claim is so highly monitored by cameras and advertising and restriction that it is in actual fact becoming private space. Graffiti artists worldwide argue that large advertising billboards with ‘a gigantic guy in his underwear’ is UGLY! As one artist plainly states, advertising ‘is visual pollution, not graffiti writing’.
research methods and report format.
Methods : fieldwork
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notes, observation, maps, sketches, interviews, audio and visual recordings.
Report format:
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who, what, when, where, why.
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Report on the entire event/ project including all findings.
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Evaluation and comparisons.
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Research comparisons if needed and consultancy with other experts if required.
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Conclusion and recommendations.
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Appendix including all records taken.
