Unseen
'Unseen' is an exhibition that artistically and philosophically explores inter-species relationships: investigating the intricate web of unseen connections with reference to plants and fungi.
Created by donna davis, an artist who explores the intersection between art and science to develop works that capture and create sites of ecological observation: 'Unseen' uses sculpture, installation and digital media to evoke curiosity and contemplation about the intricate, and often unseen, living networks that nurture and sustain our planet.
Artworks for this exhibition were inspired by an art/science project with the Queensland Herbarium: An intensive 52-week field research investigation at the Purga Nature Reserve, documented and classified fungi species which grow alongside the endangered Swamp Tea-tree (Melaleuca irbyana) to explore tree-fungi relationships.
Unseen is supported by the Queensland government through Arts Queensland. Donna Davis is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments'. This project is also supported by the Queensland Herbarium, centre for research and information on Queensland ecosystems, plants and fungi.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Unseen explores symbiotic connections in our ecosystems, with reference to plant roots and fungi hyphae.
The work reflects on the power and complexities of living systems with a focus on elements often hidden from view. Beneath our feet exist an intricate matrix of roots, hyphae, minerals, organic matter, chemicals, invertebrates, and micro-organisms all working together to to support life above ground. Mycorrhizal associations are just one of these complex networks; occurring between plant roots and fungi hyphae these relationships provide mutual benefit for both species.
Many of the works are created from discarded materials or industry waste in order to reference the idea of a closed loop ecosystem, where nature recycles resources in order to renew, grow and create balance. Fungi, themselves are also known as the great recyclers, so this analogy is apt as it reinforces their vital role within the system.
Created as an immersive experience; the viewer is invited to interact with the works in order to reveal intricate webs of 'unseen' connections, which are constantly at work maintaining healthy ecosystems. By using human input to reveal nature's grand design, I aim to evoke a sense of interconnectedness between systems, reinforcing that we too form part of this amazing grand design.
donna davis
Project Background / Research side of project:
This collaborative art/science project, between artist donna davis, and botanist Nigel Fechner, from the Queensland Herbarium, surveyed, documented and classified fungi that grew in association with the endangered Swamp Tea-tree , at the Purga Nature Reserve, over a twelve month period. A separate BioCondition assessment was also undertaken at the site by the Queensland Herbarium to survey and document the flora and fauna of the area.
This collaborative art/science project provided a unique opportunity for researching fungi-tree relationships, as this particular habitat contains only one dominant ectomycorrhizal species, the Swamp Tea-tree (Melaleuca irbyana). The surveys were carried out at the Purga Nature Reserve, home to an isolated population of the endangered Swamp Tea-tree. Given the ephemeral nature of fungi, with above ground fungal bodies often only appearing for a few days at a time, surveys were conducted every week for 52 weeks by the artist.
In collaboration between artist and scientist, the specimens collected were morphologically and microscopically examined, documented and classified; they were then sorted into groups of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal species to form a data set of the symbiotic fungi-tree relationships for the reserve.
This program of collaborative surveys and research provided insight and inspiration for the creative process of reinterpreting evidence into meaningful manifestations, which underscore the focus of the exhibition: whilst the physical specimens, drawings and documentation now comprise part of the Queensland Herbariums' collections and will assist in collating a comprehensive record of distribution records for continued research and investigations. The process, methodology and the data set that resulted were equally important to inspire the development of artworks that ecologically and philosophically explore questions of inter-species relationships. The artist was challenged to consider her role as artist and citizen within the biosphere, which in turn allowed her to form questions to which she sought answers through her art. To answer some of these questions the artist developed new skills to incorporate elements of human-powered interactivity in her works, in order to reference ideas of ecological sustainability and interconnection between systems.
"Mycologists generally estimated in broad terms, there is an average of anywhere from 4-10 species of ectomycorrhizal fungus for every species of ectomycorrhizal plant. This project has uncovered more than 30 fungi species partnering 'Melaleuca irbyana' at Purga. A number of species found in the reserve were not previously known to be mycorrhizal with the Melaleuca." Senior Mycologist, Queensland Herbarium, Nigel Fechner.
The research collaborations and artwork concept development for this project was proudly supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Ipswich City Council partnership to support local arts and culture. The project also received support for Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Mycological Society.
This exhibition is currently available for tour from April 2017 - 2020
Current itinerary:
2017
Richard Randall Studio, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens: 22-26 March 2017
Logan Art Gallery: 20 October - 25 November 2017
2018
University of Southern Queensland, Artsworx: 30 January - 7 March
Pine Rivers Art Gallery: 16 March - 28 April
Tanks Art Centre, Cairns: 1-15 June
Blackall-Tambo Regional Art Gallery: 5 October - 5 December 2018
2019
Redland Art Gallery, Capalaba: 2 February - 9 March
Warwick Art Gallery: 11 April - 18 May 2019
2020
Dogwood Crossing @ Miles: 4 April - 26 May 2020 Postponed due to COVID
2021
Dogwood Crossing @ Miles: 17 July - 4 September 2021
'Unseen' is an exhibition that artistically and philosophically explores inter-species relationships: investigating the intricate web of unseen connections with reference to plants and fungi.
Created by donna davis, an artist who explores the intersection between art and science to develop works that capture and create sites of ecological observation: 'Unseen' uses sculpture, installation and digital media to evoke curiosity and contemplation about the intricate, and often unseen, living networks that nurture and sustain our planet.
Artworks for this exhibition were inspired by an art/science project with the Queensland Herbarium: An intensive 52-week field research investigation at the Purga Nature Reserve, documented and classified fungi species which grow alongside the endangered Swamp Tea-tree (Melaleuca irbyana) to explore tree-fungi relationships.
Unseen is supported by the Queensland government through Arts Queensland. Donna Davis is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments'. This project is also supported by the Queensland Herbarium, centre for research and information on Queensland ecosystems, plants and fungi.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Unseen explores symbiotic connections in our ecosystems, with reference to plant roots and fungi hyphae.
The work reflects on the power and complexities of living systems with a focus on elements often hidden from view. Beneath our feet exist an intricate matrix of roots, hyphae, minerals, organic matter, chemicals, invertebrates, and micro-organisms all working together to to support life above ground. Mycorrhizal associations are just one of these complex networks; occurring between plant roots and fungi hyphae these relationships provide mutual benefit for both species.
Many of the works are created from discarded materials or industry waste in order to reference the idea of a closed loop ecosystem, where nature recycles resources in order to renew, grow and create balance. Fungi, themselves are also known as the great recyclers, so this analogy is apt as it reinforces their vital role within the system.
Created as an immersive experience; the viewer is invited to interact with the works in order to reveal intricate webs of 'unseen' connections, which are constantly at work maintaining healthy ecosystems. By using human input to reveal nature's grand design, I aim to evoke a sense of interconnectedness between systems, reinforcing that we too form part of this amazing grand design.
donna davis
Project Background / Research side of project:
This collaborative art/science project, between artist donna davis, and botanist Nigel Fechner, from the Queensland Herbarium, surveyed, documented and classified fungi that grew in association with the endangered Swamp Tea-tree , at the Purga Nature Reserve, over a twelve month period. A separate BioCondition assessment was also undertaken at the site by the Queensland Herbarium to survey and document the flora and fauna of the area.
This collaborative art/science project provided a unique opportunity for researching fungi-tree relationships, as this particular habitat contains only one dominant ectomycorrhizal species, the Swamp Tea-tree (Melaleuca irbyana). The surveys were carried out at the Purga Nature Reserve, home to an isolated population of the endangered Swamp Tea-tree. Given the ephemeral nature of fungi, with above ground fungal bodies often only appearing for a few days at a time, surveys were conducted every week for 52 weeks by the artist.
In collaboration between artist and scientist, the specimens collected were morphologically and microscopically examined, documented and classified; they were then sorted into groups of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal species to form a data set of the symbiotic fungi-tree relationships for the reserve.
This program of collaborative surveys and research provided insight and inspiration for the creative process of reinterpreting evidence into meaningful manifestations, which underscore the focus of the exhibition: whilst the physical specimens, drawings and documentation now comprise part of the Queensland Herbariums' collections and will assist in collating a comprehensive record of distribution records for continued research and investigations. The process, methodology and the data set that resulted were equally important to inspire the development of artworks that ecologically and philosophically explore questions of inter-species relationships. The artist was challenged to consider her role as artist and citizen within the biosphere, which in turn allowed her to form questions to which she sought answers through her art. To answer some of these questions the artist developed new skills to incorporate elements of human-powered interactivity in her works, in order to reference ideas of ecological sustainability and interconnection between systems.
"Mycologists generally estimated in broad terms, there is an average of anywhere from 4-10 species of ectomycorrhizal fungus for every species of ectomycorrhizal plant. This project has uncovered more than 30 fungi species partnering 'Melaleuca irbyana' at Purga. A number of species found in the reserve were not previously known to be mycorrhizal with the Melaleuca." Senior Mycologist, Queensland Herbarium, Nigel Fechner.
The research collaborations and artwork concept development for this project was proudly supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Ipswich City Council partnership to support local arts and culture. The project also received support for Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Mycological Society.
This exhibition is currently available for tour from April 2017 - 2020
Current itinerary:
2017
Richard Randall Studio, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens: 22-26 March 2017
Logan Art Gallery: 20 October - 25 November 2017
2018
University of Southern Queensland, Artsworx: 30 January - 7 March
Pine Rivers Art Gallery: 16 March - 28 April
Tanks Art Centre, Cairns: 1-15 June
Blackall-Tambo Regional Art Gallery: 5 October - 5 December 2018
2019
Redland Art Gallery, Capalaba: 2 February - 9 March
Warwick Art Gallery: 11 April - 18 May 2019
2020
Dogwood Crossing @ Miles: 4 April - 26 May 2020 Postponed due to COVID
2021
Dogwood Crossing @ Miles: 17 July - 4 September 2021
'UNSEEN' Touring Exhibition [bookings now closed]
'Unseen' is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Donna Davis is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australia, state and territory governments. This project is also supported by the Queensland Herbarium, centre for research and information on Queensland ecosystems, plants and fungi.
INTERESTED IN TAKING THIS EXHIBITION?
Expressions of interest are currently being sought for 'Unseen', a thought provoking environmental installation that explores symbiotic connections between plants and fungi.
Created by donna davis, an artist who explores the nexus between art and science to develop works that capture and create sites of ecological observation, 'Unseen' uses assemblage, installation and digital media to evoke curiosity and contemplation with respect to our interactions in, and with the natural world.
Exhibition information:
Media: Installation, assemblage, digital media
Curatorial Essay: Beth Jackson, Artfully
Science Essay: Nigel Fechner, Senior Mycologist, Queensland Herbarium
Exhibition Size: approx. 80 sq metres (variable according to space)
Hire fee: $2000 (+Freight)
Availability: Available April 2017 - End 2020
Accompanying Material:
'Unseen' is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Donna Davis is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments'. This project is also supported by the Queensland Herbarium, centre for research and information on Queensland ecosystems, plants and fungi.
Concept research and development of the project was proudly supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Ipswich City Council partnership to support local arts and culture. The project also received support form Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Mycological Society.
'Unseen' is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Donna Davis is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australia, state and territory governments. This project is also supported by the Queensland Herbarium, centre for research and information on Queensland ecosystems, plants and fungi.
INTERESTED IN TAKING THIS EXHIBITION?
Expressions of interest are currently being sought for 'Unseen', a thought provoking environmental installation that explores symbiotic connections between plants and fungi.
Created by donna davis, an artist who explores the nexus between art and science to develop works that capture and create sites of ecological observation, 'Unseen' uses assemblage, installation and digital media to evoke curiosity and contemplation with respect to our interactions in, and with the natural world.
Exhibition information:
Media: Installation, assemblage, digital media
Curatorial Essay: Beth Jackson, Artfully
Science Essay: Nigel Fechner, Senior Mycologist, Queensland Herbarium
Exhibition Size: approx. 80 sq metres (variable according to space)
Hire fee: $2000 (+Freight)
Availability: Available April 2017 - End 2020
Accompanying Material:
- Didactic panels
- Education program
- Public program options
- Room brochure
'Unseen' is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Donna Davis is supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments'. This project is also supported by the Queensland Herbarium, centre for research and information on Queensland ecosystems, plants and fungi.
Concept research and development of the project was proudly supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Ipswich City Council partnership to support local arts and culture. The project also received support form Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Mycological Society.
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