Sanctuary, 2023

Sanctuary is an immersive installation that ‘simulates’ our natural environment. Living in a post-industrialised urban society, people are often out of sync with the beauty and rhythms of nature. Here I wish to share my reverence for the natural environment. I am always in awe of its beauty and wonder when I walk amongst it.

Aesthetic beauty is a powerful tool that attracts people’s attention and influences them in a positive manner. Beauty has the power to engage, evoke emotion, and provoke thought. By walking through this simulation and observing the colours that exist in our ecosystem, I hope my audience walk away with a heightened awareness of the beauty that exists in our natural world.

I refer to the installation as a ‘simulation’ because that is what it is. A simulation of natural environments AND artificial environments we engage in. In this age of mass consumption, we are quick to engage in artificial spaces and use artificial products to fulfil our needs and wants expediently. By creating an artificial space, ironically using pigments and dyes, derived from natural matter, I aim to capture the viewers’ attention and share my observations of the beautiful colours our eco-system provides us.

Sanctuary is made up of washi, kozo and tengucho* papers, which are stained with mineral pigments and plant dyes that I foraged in my local reserves – the Yarra and Banyule Flats. Ochre, ironbark sap, wild berries, eucalyptus leaves, flower petals, invasive weeds and grass have been used to create these pigments and dyes.

* Tengucho paper is a thin, specialist Japanese paper, weighing 9gsm, traditionally used for archival conservation and restoration of damaged documents. The tengucho paper used in this installation is synonymous with the intent to conserve and restore our ecosystem.