Slow Territory responds to the connection between stitching, weaving and drawing, and the contemplative, meditative nature of these activities. Using natural dyes, inks, acrylics, and collaged felt, silk and cotton, the works respond to a range of natural processes such as the cycle of rehydration and evaporation found within salt lakes, tidal drawings of bush fire ash on coastal areas and verdant growth on lava rocks. Notions of distilling an atmosphere of place are explored and the works form a map of remembrance and meditative intent.
I spent eleven days at the June Heddich apartment at Julia Street Creative Space in Portland during January 2014. It was an intense period of discovery, culminating in a small exhibition held within the apartment. The building which includes the upstairs apartment was built in 1859. During my short stay there, the structure of the building; the many rooms, the two staircases, the studio area and the various north and east facing aspects created a flood of ideas resulting in mini installations, series of drawings and photographic works.
