Ashes at Heron Island inspire artwork

A stint at UQ's Heron Island Research Station has prompted Brisbane-based Indigenous artist Judy Watson to explore the concept of renewal in her latest work.

As Heron Island's artist-in-residence for 12 days in February, Ms Watson was able to visit the recently rebuilt Research Station, which was devastated by fire in March 2007.

“I’m interested in the whole idea of rejuvenation, especially with the fire that occurred here and then the station being rebuilt, and also what’s just happened in recent history with regard to the Victorian bushfires,” Ms Watson said.

“I’ll be informed by all the objects I look at and pick up and take notice of, by what people might say to me in passing conversation.

“I always say it’s like I carry a big net around, and there will be certain things that run through my net, and I take them to the surface to observe more closely.

“But the work will also be layered – layered with the idea of what I see here today and then what was here before.”

Awarded the 1995 Moët & Chandon Fellowship and selected as one of three Aboriginal women artists to represent Australia in the 1997 Venice Biennale, Ms Watson’s work has been recognised internationally.

Ms Watson’s Aboriginal grandmother was born on Riversleigh Station in north-west Queensland.

While inspired by her heritage, she said her Aboriginality did not define her artwork.

“My family are both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and that comes through in all of my work,” she said.

“Indigenous art is art that’s made by Indigenous people, and I’ll just be working with whatever touches me as a person.

“I’m concerned with the environment, women’s issues, the fact that I’m a mother, that I’m from Queensland.

“All these things about who I am as a person – including being Indigenous – will inform the work that I make.

“I don’t think you’ll be able to look at it and say ‘that looks like an Indigenous work’.

“That’s what Indigenous artists are doing – they’re trying to push the boundary, so it’s always that idea of stepping outside the stereotype.”

Now back at her Brisbane studio, Ms Watson is developing artwork based on sketches and drawings completed during her time at Heron Island, which she will exhibit at the UQ Art Museum from October 9 to November 22.

Her next show, which begins on May 28 at Brisbane’s Milani Gallery, explores the oil spill in Moreton Bay.

Media: Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au) or Nick Mitzevich, Director, UQ Art Museum (07 3365 3046, n.mitzevich@uq.edu.au)