2 degrees C

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Abstract

Investigating the traces that human beings leave in the world is at the core of archaeological research. Much of the. evidence the archaeological record comprises conveys information about the lifeways of particular cultures, societies and communities and to a lesser extent details the presence of individuals. For this reason, discoveries like the footprints preserved in the Laetolian volcanic tuffs of Tanzania or the sediments of Lake Mungo, are remarkable. Such direct indexical traces of ancestral individuals present a powerful connection between the past and present, and in progression, point to a future to come. They are also a poignant reminder of both our fleeting time on this earth, and the enduring impact our lives can have on our surroundings. As an artist and archaeologist my research has long been focused on examining the marks of human activity, the material and immaterial signs of our behaviour and the roles we play in shaping the world. My practice is also influenced by environmental issues and the pressing concerns of the Anthropocene, which I regularly explore through the lens of the discarded and overlooked. The motif of the fragment, which often appears in my work, in this context refers to a process of gradual accumulation, the existence of the individual within the whole, and the visible evidence of inaction and uncertainty. It draws attention to the blind spots that exist not only in our capacity to see a future of shared responsibility but also a lack of willingness to work collectively as a global community to avoid catastrophe.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationCanberra
PublisherBelconnen Arts Centre
Sizedimensions variable
Publication statusPublished - 26 Mar 2021

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