Since finding my first drawer on the street a few years ago, I have been contemplating different ‘drawer’ projects. In this exhibition, I use drawers conceptually in relation to sustainability and climate change.
The first trigger for this project was the book A Zero Waste Life, which I found in a free ‘little library’ in Lyneham. The second was a Clean Up Australia e-newsletter that stated: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly; we need millions of us doing it imperfectly”.
To me, the drawers symbolise global, systemic ‘boxed in’ thinking, a business-as-usual mind frame regardless of intensifying environmental crises. Nonetheless, I’ve found Canberrans are increasingly committed to doing something – however imperfectly and each in their own way – to help mitigate climate change. Hearing them discuss their lifestyle adjustments to live more sustainably has helped me conjure up these abstract images in the drawers, tinged sometimes with seriousness, sometimes humour.
I count myself among those trying to model this effort in my own imperfect way, by limiting the raw materials for my art to my street ‘pickings’. May these depictions of systemic complacency juxtaposed with personal commitment inspire you to refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.
The exhibition was at the Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen, ACT, from 13 October to 26 November 2023. Located in the window gallery of the theatre, it could be viewed day and night.
To enquire about purchasing works from this exhibition, contact me via the form on the contact page. Arrangements can be made for pick up or shipping from Canberra.
Works in the exhibition
Solar City
Cityscape
94x206x16cm
$800
Sunburst
80cm in diameter
SOLD
We’re supplying solar energy for ourselves and the grid. Link to the ACT goverment’s Everyday Climate Choices website, with information on solar energy systems and storage batteries.
Glass Half Full
18x23x6cm
$300
We stay positive and do what we can, however imperfectly, to support sustainability and prevent a climate crisis.
Rainbow Veggies
38x48x15cm
$500
We eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, sourced locally and in season. Link to the Weekend Notes article, Canberra’s Weekend Markets, by Sue W.
Prompting Mass Action
30x39x16cm
$600
We take action on climate issues. Link to the Conservation Council’s website indicating some of the actions you can take to help prevent a climate crisis.
Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish
38x49x14cm
$400
We help our teachers pick up rubbish on our school oval using tongs. Link to the ACT government’s Everyday Climate Choices website, which provides information about how schools can become more sustainable.
Walkaholic
45x55x13cm
$200
We walk wherever we can for transport and exercise. Link to the ACT government’s Transport Canberra walking and cycling maps and guides.
E-Veed
45x53x13cm; 45x82x22 with skateboard
$300
We’re going going gone EV. Link to the ACT government’s Everyday Climate Choices website for a wide range of information about zero-emissions vehicles.
Vegan Virtues
49x30x14cm
$200
We eat vegan to help stop cattle methane emissions, inhumane gassing of pigs, battery hens, fish farm pollution and more. Link to the Vegan ACT website, which provides vegan news, events, benefits and ways to get involved locally.
Earth Links
43x47x12cm
$200
We volunteer for many different conservation and environmental groups. Link to the Conservation Council’s website, which describes a range of conservation and environmental groups that you can join.
Circuitry
35x40x16cm
$250
We recycle our electrical devices and components. Link to the ACT government’s Recyclopaedia, which lists the best ways to dispose of e-waste responsibly.
Seedbank
35x37x20cm
$600
We collect, process and prepare native plant seeds for conservation and research. Link to the Australian National Botanic Gardens website, with information about the National Seed Bank.
Paper Cup Peril
39x58x20cm
$300
We carry our own cup for takeaway coffee. Link to the ACT government’s Waste Management Strategy 2011-2025.
Worm Farm
52x43x16cm
$400
We feed food scraps to our worms to reduce landfill and create our own fertilizer. Link to the Canberra Organic Growers Society article, Backyard Worm Farm Tips.
Photos from the launch
The launch was held on 13 October at the Belconnen Arts Centre, with a couple hundred people attending. Pictures from the launch are in the gallery below.
To enquire about purchasing works from this exhibition, contact me via the form on the contact page. Arrangements can be made for pick up or shipping from Canberra.
All works in the exhibition were created at River Studios, which is managed by Creative Spaces for the City of Melbourne.