Exhibition floor talk | Yam
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Output Type
Other
Publication Title
Exhibition floor talk | Yam
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
School
School of Arts and Humanities; ECU Galleries
Description
Exhibition Statement | YAM is a collaboration between artist, Cim Sears, anthropologists, Ken Macintyre and Barb Dobson, and Nyungar researcher, Iva Hayward-Jackson. The original intention to rework the anthropological research papers in a way that communicated aspects of traditional science, slowly moved from mainly text to include image, as the artist began to automatically rework and modify the material. Experimentations with image making and type on different handmade papers began to present the content in a different light and gave the researched works a new space. Field trips for collecting more samples ensued in order to photograph and record Indigenous cultural traditions of horticulture and food sources into art pieces that were visually stimulating and imbued with new curiosity. The indigenous yam ‘warrein’ took a starring role as the team grew, cultivated, and harvested the impressive tubers of this delicate but vitally important species. Other traditional food sources feature in the exhibition but it is the indigenous yam ‘warrein’, with its male and female parts, its tiny and delicate above ground stem, its vigorous vine and flowers and its powerful tuber and roots below ground that is a striking metaphor for the genius, resilience and survival of its Indigenous cultivators since the beginning of their existence. The ‘Anthropology from the Shed’ website was simultaneously transformed to be easily accessible and visually striking while maintaining its academic excellence. The commonality of all participants was that all the work, both online and in the exhibition would be a form of giving for the benefit of those who freely came to it, and an honouring of the Indigenous people and all who contributed to the vast knowledge and inspiration contained within.
Artist Bio | Cim completed a Master of Visual Arts by Research at ECU in 2020. She has a Photography degree obtained at ECU and previously, an Arts degree in Anthropology and Politics from UWA. Subsequent to this she studied and worked as a Social Worker for a number of years where her main emphasis was in the area of women’s health. She has exhibited her art and photography internationally and locally, though her priority is to develop acute immersive processes and practice. She has a multidisciplinary practice that includes, printmaking processes, photolithography, ceramics and script. She travels long distances to the Western Desert where she draws on connections to explore and discover narratives that are lost from memory and the historical landscape.
Additional Information
Exhibition dates: 28 June to 27 July 2023 | Floor talk: 12:30pm – 1:30pm Wednesday 12 July 2023