It was such an honour to host Ky. Her knowledge of plants and her love for this place brought a kind of magic to every walk—we’d wander the property as she named each plant, sharing its scents and uses. We also walked through Bonney Reserve together, which was a really special experience - Kate
Artist Bio:
I'm Ky, a multimedia Earth based artist. My creative expression is driven by land relationships, plant spirits, ancestral ways and devotional practice. Points of connection and stories - myth, symbol and experience unfold in various ways....photographic portals, handpoke tattoo, experimental drawing with raw materials and book making.
Q: Did the landscape and views influence your works? If so can you tell us how?
The quality of land was an influence, the spaciousness, the rawness, the water. I was on the look out for the 'more than human's creating their own language and works to study. The natural shell collections were particularly fascinating to me. Graveyards of different shell Beings coming to the end of their housing and appearing to leave their shells in the same spot. I also collected a little clay to make paint with.
Q: Did you have a plan when you arrived or a goal or project you were working on?
A:The main goal was to allow a body of work to emerge, and not be too fixed on what that might be. To have the space to tend to my creative flow without too much of an agenda cracked me open. The way Kate offers this space I found very moving, in a world that is fast paced and production focused it touched me in a bone deep way that someone honours creativity enough to share this space so generously - it was an inspiration in itself that fueled my devotion to creative practice.
Q: You told me you had direct connection to the land and area, can you tell us how it felt to you to be back and to be on this art residency?
A: I have an ancestral connection to the Kurangk (Mulburupa tribe, Yaraldekeld) and it always seems to hum in my bones and energise me in its unique presence. Haunting in some ways, it is rare I get the space and time to explore that. The spirit of the Land is strong, the winds are strong, the bird life epic, the water so tidal in its unique way. It was affecting.
Q: What advice would you give the next artist in residency?
A: Meet the land and waters, let it move you. Play. Relax.
Q: What 3 words come to mind when reflecting on Coorong.life ?
A: raw, strong spirit, generous
