Outdoor Projects

The Sculpture 

The Sculpture in fog 2017
Quartz pebbles. Variable dimensions (~15 x 10m)
2010-present

The original impulse of this piece was amelioration of erosion in an area of exposed ground. Rules exist for its construction. The piece is dynamic, and has gradually changed in many ways since it was begun.

Solstice Project

Summer solstice
Sunrise view 2020

This project consisted of observing the sunrise and sunset on the four corners of a year: summer and winter solstices and autumnal and vernal equinoxes, from points in my territory. Over a period after each event I then walked to the place where the sun appeared or disappeared, navigating by simple eyeline and guesswork methods - distances from 500 metres to 5 kilometres from the starting points near my home. The photos of sunrises and sunsets and final appearance or disappearance locations, and my memory of this, are virtually all that remain on the ground. The etching below is a later depiction of the project.

Solstice Rocks 2023
Etching, aquatint, deep bite, burnishing, crayon resist, electric engraving tool, paint resist

Theatres and Shrines

Shrine with broken celadon-glazed bowl and amethyst
In its location, now forgotten
2022

Theatres and Shrines are small installations in rock crevices and tree hollows, consisting of an offering or performer made from a hollow vessel and a treasure. They are elusive and quite difficult to find again. Sometimes items are moved or taken by curious birds.

Skeleton of Water

Skeleton of Water 2021-present. Sticks. Photograph 2022
Variable dimensions; ~15m x 20m

During C19 lockdowns I often went to a place that had been cleared and grazed long ago, and partly regenerated. The lack of groundcover resulted in small erosion channels. The installation is made of many sticks found nearby, laid in these channels, and has been subject to changes wrought by passing kangaroos, wombats and rain. The area has started to regain groundcover.

Golf Ball City

Golf Ball City (detail) 2015-present. Found golf balls, quartz pebbles. Photograph 2016.
Variable dimensions; ~5 m x 7m

Occasionally, in the bush, I find golf balls. I assume these have been dropped by crows, who took them mistaking them for eggs. In 2015 I began placing the balls I found in an eroded area, along with small pieces of quartz laid along horizonal lines. The installation has become a continuous process of giving and taking, losing and finding. A large, overcomplicated spreadsheet exists recording the identities and movements of the balls, and other observations. The site has partly regenerated.