Residency Report  |  Carolyn Cardinet, November 2018

Artwork

To be onsite allowed me maximum time dedicated to explore and experiment with other material and making method for this project. The inspiration behind my main installation work was the entanglement of plastic waste in the kelp washed up on beaches.

The result was a large sculptural assemblage created onsite with waste found and collected locally. The giant seaweed leaves were cut and machine stitched to create tentacle like form. For the outer layer I have enclosed some of the plastic pieces I collected for the first 6 weeks of the residency. I also included the metal wire found at Fishery creek to hang and complement the work along the stem of the work. 

Community engagements:

Cleaning: the same area every day brought back 20-40 pieces daily

Collecting: materials daily for Sea creatures and insect hotels w/shops

Workshops: 2 at Ignite Studios (Deep Sea creatures & Bugs hotel), all day at Empire Vale primary school (Deep Sea Creatures)

Artist talks: 4 at NRCG with public school students

Assisted: with workshop for bald craft morning at NRCG

Clean-Ups: at 2 localities - Fishery creek on kayaks and Richmond river

Visited: Ballina including gallery, Library & information centre and surroundings including Wardell and Broadwater beach to research the plastic concentration in places further up the river and beaches south of Ballina.

What was achieved?

The overall list of my time as the environment artist in residence at the Ignite Studios:

• Gave 4 artist talks at the art gallery
• Enjoyed a craft afternoon with some of the retired population at the gallery
• Met with Empire Vale primary school teachers and principal
• Ran a full day of Art and Sustainability workshops at a primary school
• Met with Richmond Landcare organisation Liz Thomson
• Initiated a creek clean-up with Richmond Landcare and Ballina kayaks in December
• Met with Tangaroa Blue organisation Caitlin Weatherstone
• Initiated a river & beach clean which included in January
• Cleaned and collected rubbish daily from the same area in Ballina
• Created an art installation out of waste (plastic sheeting) and included plastic marine debris found locally as a final & top layer
• Worked experimenting in her studio & creating extensively
• Exhibited her art installation Fucus Plastica outside the gallery
• Exhibited the work made by children at the school along her work
• Facilitated a Deep Sea Creature workshop at the gallery
• Facilitated an Insect hotel workshop at the gallery
• Participated in other beach clean up locally in Byron Bay
• Toured several tips in the area (Ballina, Lismore, Myocum)
• Visited the container scheme (Ballina & Lismore)
• Toured the Australian Seabird Rescue Centre
• Attended the release on local beach of three sea turtles by ASRC
• Visited many of the art Galleries and art spaces in the area (Ballina art gallery, Bangalow galleries, Lismore art gallery, Murwillumbah art gallery & MAS)
• Attended the Ballina gallery openings
• Visited the area extensively
• Engaged with many of the local artists
• Made contact with scientists and researchers
• Met with Amanda Reichelt-Brushett regarding her report on the health of the Richmond River
• Social Media: Promoted the gallery and activities on Instagram & Facebook
• Local Press: promoted sustainability, NRCG and healthy waterways throughout the Ballina shire by being present in the local paper 12 Dec 2018& 2/9/11/23 January 2019
• Radio: 11 & 12 Jan promotion of the January Richmond River clean-up
• Other Press: Extended her profile & local engagement in the Nimbin paper Jan 2019
• Inspired and engaged the local population and tourists regarding sustainability towards a better future
• Documentary: attended the local screening of Murder on the Reef a strong 14 award documentary on the health and political issues around the Great Barrier Reef. This documentary was very informative and was followed by Q&A with biologists and researchers, scientists and local green MP.

Art & Sustainable events were promoted at great length during the residency throughout the Ballina Shire and beyond.

Press

Ballina Shire Advocate:

• Turning plastics into art – page 21- 12 December 2018
• Creek no place for trolleys – page 6 - 2 January 2019
• Art fun for kids – page 12 – 9 January 2019
• Seaweed creation educates – page 12 - 9 January 2019
• Vandals attack – page 7 - 16 January 2019
• Pick up the thongs – page 1 & 2 - 23 January 2019

The Nimbin Good Times:

• Umbrella Christmas Tree - Letters section - page 8 – Jan 2019
• Artivist in residence - page 33 – Jan 2019

Radio:

• Promotion of river clean-up 11 & 12 January on ParadiseFM 101.9