Wildēornes Land Wildēornes (Old English): a land inhabited only by wild animals.
The Wildēorness Land series reflects the inherent loss and uncertainty we face for the natural environment, through the installation of an 1880’s mourning shawl and projections of historical illustrations in the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Parks.
Combining installation, photography, moving image, sound and drawing upon archival records to explore the landscape through a historical, cultural and ecological lens, Welch aims to reveal the symbiotic relationship humans have with the natural world, and the fragility and strength of both.
Wildēornes Body The time-lapse film Wildēorness Body reflects the inherent loss and uncertainty we now face for the natural environment, while simultaneously being a personal acknowledgement of the artist embracing her mortality and the autoimmune disease Lupus that inhabits her body and world.
Swathed in a Victorian 1880s chantilly lace mourning shawl, the artist lay on a large mirror that reflects the sky and the canopy of trees above. Through the symbolism of the mourning shawl and the endurance of holding a pose over time, Welch aims to reveal the symbiotic relationship humans have with the natural world, and the fragility and strength of both.
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Welch spent several weeks at BigCi artist residency near Wollemi National Park where she researched and created this work on location.