Ghost Grazelands

2004

[OUT OF GALLERY] Art Park: Environment and Ecology in Art.
Intervention in public spaces. Blacktown, Sydney. 
Blacktown Workers Club car park, Levels 5 & 6.

Wallaby grass, Danthonia setacea cutouts on level 6. Kangaroo grass, Themeda australis cutouts on level 5.

Through the process of urbanisation tons of concrete and asphalt have buried vast grasslands causing the near extinction of some grass species. Urban development has led to bleak landscapes of impervious surfaces creating environmental and social damage.

Emus and kangaroos which relied on these indigenous grasses, once grazed the abundantly vegetated Cumberland Plain Woodland. As part of the ecosystem, seed-heads not only provided food for the prolific wildlife but in turn contributed to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Dharug people.

In the tradition of the graffiti artist, my response here is to strike at hard inanimate surfaces in the Blacktown cityscape. Targeting inhospitable car park spaces, the emergent grass and seed-head forms challenge the dominant urban constructs.