This project celebrates the persistence of growth in the Blue Mountains forest as it continues to recover from fire damage. The ecology of the site is explored through the nature-culture-human intersection identified by pioneer multimedia performance artist Joan Jonas. When discussing the role of the elements in one of her early moving image works, Wind (1968) Jonas stated that “the wind takes on a character.” Equally, the landscape and the elemental others of the Blue Mountains ranges can be viewed as collaborators, seeing both art practice and site as one.
These artist proofs aim to re-imagine troubled ecologies between human-nature relationships through ruptured song. The images may be read through multiple lenses, that of colonisation; feminism; isolation; phenomenology; coexistence; trauma; loss and life cycles. This is an emotional engagement with the complex history and scars of a landscape. It positions art as a navigational tool to work through dissonance and to find the points at which harmony sits, strikes or sings.
Broken Chord was produced at various locations on Dharug and Gundungurra Country. Additional work was conducted on the land of the Awabakal people. The artist acknowledges the Traditional Custodians upon whose unceded land this work was realised and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
This project was carbon offset through contributions to Greenfleet, a not-for-profit environmental organisation committed to protecting our climate by restoring our forests. This project and its outcomes have been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body, as well as the Jim Marks Postgraduate Scholarship Fund, University of Melbourne.
JEN VALENDER Broken Chord 2022 inkjet on archival cotton rag ed. A.P (artist proof) Dharug Consultant: Leanne Tobin Regional Liaison: Bilpin International Ground for Creative Initiatives
Museum of Art and Culture (MAC), 1A First Street, Booragul 2284, Booragul 2284 View in Google Maps
1A First Street, Booragul 2284 , Booragul 2284