Aerial Map - History as Dimension

I wanted to represent history around 1860 in an aerial view, when Brisbane River had been recently 'settled'. I have gathered etched/photo reference on the area from 1829 – 1900. It's incredible how, by 1860 – from arriving in Brisbane port (in 1829) - the landscape had changed dramatically ... housing, city, removal of mangroves, river dredging for port and shipping activity: it was all well underway.

I am always interested in that idea of history and the point when everything 'became something else' – the point of no return I guess. I believe 1860 was the year, the river became something 'else'.

Because of the time in history, I wanted to return to a more traditional method of 'stitching' the landscape as an aerial view.

I wanted to try as many methods as possible for the final submission and hoped to capture 'pasts and present' of the river- especially as I've found the memories/experiences and perspectives change each time I visit, or plan the next exercise. Also, every time I read more about the site, my understanding changes. This exercise was a good opportunity to work with stitching. An initial 'stitched canvas' was made at the River, specifically at the Kangaroo Point mangroves, where I recorded textures and colours.

Brisbane River recorded between 1865 – 1875



Later, materials taken from the site (such as wood, line work, painted canvas and stitch work) was used to create the final piece. Nothing was wasted.
There is a mix of linear drawing, stitching, photographs, painted canvas, felt and cotton fabrics, chicken wire, copper wire and materials taken from the site to reference certain parts of the river.