Ongoing Projects > Hesperia: Land looking West

Hesperia: Land looking West brings together a series of artworks that examine the colonial legacy of Western Australia’s first Governor, James Stirling, the man initially responsible for invading Nyoongar boodja (country). Through an interdisciplinary arts practice, the work aims to critique the celebration of his legacy; which contributes to the ongoing concealment of Indigenous experiences and versions of history. A range of processes including reproduction and performance have been used to question the privilege given to the portrait of Stirling in Government House, Perth, and The Presentation Cup guarded by the Western Australian Museum. Through the manipulation of forms and materials, the artworks aim to subvert the colonial legacies by rejecting and disrupting their intended functions as symbols of power and authority.

Hesperia was shown at c3 Contemporary Art Space at the Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne in March 2018. The exhibition was supported by a Creative Development Grant from the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. The series has continued to be developed since showing at c3 Contemporary Art Space.

Hesperia: Land looking West
c3 Contemporary Art Space
Install shot
2018
The colonial frame (deflating the James Stirling portrait)
Cast acrylic paint
Dimensions variable
2018
The colonial trophy (deflating James Stirling’s Presentation Cup)
Cast acrylic paint, paper and binder
Dimensions variable
2017
The colonial trophy (deflating James Stirling’s Presentation Cup)
Cast acrylic paint, paper and binder
Dimensions variable
2018
The colonial trophy (deflating James Stirling’s Presentation Cup)
Cast acrylic paint, paper and binder
Detail shot
2017
The colonial trophy (crumpling James Stirling’s Presentation Cup)
Cast acrylic paint, paper and binder
48cm x 33cm x 5cm
2018
The colonial portrait (driving over the James Stirling portrait)
Digital print on paper
Dimensions variable
2017
The colonial frame (replicating the James Stirling portrait frame)
Plaster, pine and acrylic paint
100cm x 120cm x 10cm
2016
The colonial frame (deconstructing the James Stirling portrait frame)
Cast plaster, binder and acrylic paint
100cm x 120cm x 10cm
2017
The colonial frame (crumbling the James Stirling portrait frame)
Cast earth and binder
100cm x 120cm x 10cm
2016
The colonial frame (eroding the James Stirling portrait frame)
Cast earth, acrylic and binder
100cm x 120cm x 10cm
2017
anti requiem (burying the James Stirling portrait)
Inkjet on photo paper - performance documentation, photographed by Paul Sutherland and Kim Duong, edition 1/5
29cm x 360cm
2016
anti requiem (burying the James Stirling portrait)
Inkjet on photo paper - performance documentation, photographed by Paul Sutherland, edition 1/5
Detail Shot
2016
anti requiem (burying the James Stirling portrait)
Inkjet on photo paper - performance documentation, photographed by Paul Sutherland, edition 1/5
Detail Shot
2016
anti requiem (burying the James Stirling portrait
Inkjet on photo paper - performance documentation, photographed by Kim Duong, edition 1/5
Detail shot
2016
anti requiem (burying the James Stirling portrait)
Inkjet on photo paper - performance documentation, photographed by Paul Sutherland, edition 1/5
Detail Shot
2016
anti requiem (burying the James Stirling portrait)
Inkjet on photo paper - performance documentation, photographed by Kim Duong, edition 1/5
Detail shot
2016
anti requiem (burying the James Stirling portrait)
Inkjet on photo paper - performance documentation, photographed by Paul Sutherland, edition 1/5
Detail Shot
2016
The colonial frame (gutting James Stirling’s biography)
Cast papier-mâché and found book
7cm x 58cm x 97cm
2019
The colonial frame (gutting James Stirling’s biography)
Cast papier-mâché and found book
Detail shot
2019
The colonial frame (gutting James Stirling’s biography)
Cast papier-mâché and found book
Detail shot
2019