SAMMY HAWKER - MAY '21
March 2021
Acts of Co-Creation
Sammy Hawker
Solo exhibition
18 May - 2 July 2021
The works in Acts of Co-Creation were created across three sites; the rugged coastline of South-Coast NSW (Yuin Country), the alpine ranges of Kosciuszko National Park (Ngarigo Country) and within Canberra and its immediate surrounds (Ngunawal Country).
Sammy Hawker is interested in ways she can facilitate interaction with the more-than human when producing visual work. This includes using water collected from site in the processing of analogue film. Salt fractals form across works created with ocean water, textured ripples rise up a medium format photograph developed with the muddy lake water of Ngungara (Lake George) and images of storm clouds taken from the top of Mount Ainslie were developed with the rainwater that fell later that day.
For other works in the exhibition Sammy has employed the technique of chromatography using silver nitrate to make the properties of soil and Eucalyptus bark visible. The chromatograms are the visual expression of vibrant matter as minerals, organic molecules, proteins, vitamins and humic substances react with the silver nitrate and form a complex mix of colours and shapes.
Sammy’s practice is grounded in collaborative engagement. When investigating a site she will work closely with Traditional Custodians, scientists, ecologists and regenerative agriculturalists. These engagements assist her in interpreting quantitative and qualitative data as well as developing ecological literacy and a cultural understanding of the site. Cross disciplinary partnerships and acts of co-creation illustrate a responsible way of moving forward in an age of environmental crisis.
Images: (left) Shores of Turemulerrer - This image was developed with Kodak XTOL & ocean-water collected from site. The salt from the water leaves residue on the negative and begins the corrosion of the emulsion breaking open the permanency of the photograph and decentering the position of the artist.
(right) Murramarang NP #1 - This image was developed with Kodak XTOL & ocean-water collected from site. The salt from the water leaves residue on the negative and begins the corrosion of the emulsion breaking open the permanency of the photograph and decentering the position of the artist.
