Wathaurong and Eastern Beach House Residency

I was  awarded a residency late December 2020 at Eastern Beach Art House ( Geelong, Victoria, Australia) 

The House sits amidst a large verdant garden and boasts tri-level views over Corio Bay, including Eastern Beach and the Royal Geelong Yacht Club marina.

Eastern Beach Art House has been largely furnished with a rich collection of artworks and antiquities from the former Brooklyn Arts Hotel in Fitzroy, Melbourne.

The house is noted by the Victorian Heritage Council as being of local significance. Built in 1909 by prominent Geelong architects Laird and Buchan, this finely crafted art deco home was further improved in 1947. The unique period design remains with modern kitchen and bathroom amenities.

During this time I continued work on a series of work that relates to my late father Huw Halse and his connection to Wathaurong building he designed in Geelong and the connection of the earth to life and death. 

Wathaurong

I was interested in how my father worked with the local indigenous community to  integrate the water , natural textures and natural environment with the building he designed. He mentioned to me that he  enjoyed the process of working with the local community to create this building and learning about the local community's needs and culture. He was very mindful to not have a structure that dominated the  land or was imposing but one that was integrated and  was owned by the community.  There is a connection with the curved waterways, the curved ceremonial space  and the the curved natural form of  the building This building was created during his partnership  with Cirrillo Architects ( Geelong) . My father preferred to hand draw his plans and the flowing and notation like  linear structures  in this building reflects this. He has ensured there was light within the structure that curves like a shell  . He integrates forms with the natural environment through his attention to detail and assemblance of textures from straw hatched roofing and natural trees as pillars. Colouring of the building reflects the natural environment.

I acknowledge the Traditions Custodians of the land the Wathaurong and Wadawurrong People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, Elders in our community and our emerging leaders. 

I am very thankful to have this place to reflect on my father - thank you to the local community

Experimenting with sculpture 

Inspired by ceremonial space and the tree that is dead and cut but also alive and is feminine and seems fertile and but also masculine  and projects upwards. Dead and alive, male and females integrated  and  cyclical. 

Previous work that relates:

Man of Clay

Gathering of matter.  Dust is caressed and reclaimed.  There is a pulse of warmth behind the clay that can only be applied to a surface now.   Seeking resurrection and there is a vain attempt to create an anthropomorphic being. Layers of Time sift through the surface of the clay, its erosion can be evident, but it can be reshaped. 

Wathaurong 

Shifting sediments and eruptions from the earth creates erosions,  shifts and changes. Is there a glimpse of lustre in the horizon ? Is there gravity or force in disappearing sand?  Layers of time can become dust . Utilising the architecture plans  of  Wathaurong ( Geelong)  created by my late father Huw Halse,  I seek to reconstruct his presence and trace and  his markings, hoping to find his spirit.