At the end of 2022 I was making preparations to put in an application to the Australian Antarctic Divisions Arts Fellowship Program in the March of 2023.
I wanted to challenge myself to see what I could create while under significant material and time restrictions.
The following body of work was created in the 31 days of that January. All research, design creation, fabric dying, painting, colouring, fibre creation, construction and quilting, began on the 1st of January, and all pieces were completed by the 31st.
All pieces are 29cm x 42cm and I started with only white fabric.
All free motion quilting sewn on a Bernina 440.
History - Significant People
Macquarie (1762 - 1824)
Major General Lachlan Macquarie (CB) was the Governor General of NSW (1810 - 1821) after an illustrious career in the British Army, and a political and social leader in the development of Australia during its transition from a penal colony to a free settlement.
Captain Frederick Hassellborough formally annexed Macquarie Island to Britain in July of 1810. The Island was named after Macquarie at this time.
Fabrics: Tea dyed cotton ink jet printed. Cotton batting. Commercial backing and binding.
Photo Reference: National Archives of Australia (A1200, LI7347), Map - JC Productions.
Davis (1884 - 1967)
John King Davis (CBE) was a Master Mariner, explorer and navigator in the Antarctic. Davis was instrumental in establishing meteorological stations on Macquarie Island, Wills Island and Coral Sea.
He captained the YS Aurora for the Mawson expedition of 1911- 1914. Davis Station was named after him in 1957. The Davis Sea was also named after him.
Fabrics: Tea dyed cotton ink jet printed. Cotton batting. Commercial backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Davis (right) - Swaine - Wiki. YS Aurora (left), Frank Hurley.
Casey (1890 - 1976)
In 1937 Lord (Baron) Richard Gavin Gardiner Casey was the chairman of the Polar Committee for the Imperial Conference, London.
Casey was the Minister for External Territories in 1951 and in charge of CSIRO from 1950 - 1960. In 1953, Casey announced that Australia would increase numbers of year round expeditions to Antarctica, as he was a strong advocate for establishing permanent stations in the region to improve the accuracy of climactic data. Casey Station was named after him in 1969.
Fabrics: Tea dyed cotton ink jet printed. Cotton batting. Commercial backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Casey (left) A Campbell-Durey - Wiki (public domain) . Image (right) Louis Kahan (National Portraits Gallery).
Mawson (1882 - 1958)
Sir Douglas Mawson (OBE, FRS, FAA) was a highly regarded explorer of the Antarctic, with an academic background in Geology, Mining Engineering and lecturing in Petrology and Minerology.
Mawson was the first to climb Mt Erebus in 1908, and the first to reach the Magnetic South Pole in 1909. Mawson was the sole survivor of the Far Eastern Party AAE in 1913. He wrote “The Home of the Blizzard” in 1915. Mawson Station was named after him in 1954.
Fabrics: Tea dyed cotton ink jet printed. Cotton batting. Commercial backing and binding. Photo Reference: AAP Frank Hurley.
Mawson’s Blizzard
“The Home of the Blizzard” was written by Mawson in 1915 as a record of Australian Antarctic Expedition of 1911 to 1914. this image is synonymous with the vast challenges faced during their expedition.
Fabrics: Tea dyed cotton ink jet printed. Cotton batting. Commercial backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Frank Hurley - State Library of NSW.
Wilkins (1888 - 1958)
George Hubert Wilkins was a man of many talents and was most regarded for his driving determination to explore the far reaches and poles of the globe. An Australian, Wilkins travelled extensively throughout the world and developed skills in many highly scientific fields such as geology, ornithology, meteorology as well as being a highly regarded photographer.
Wilkins was also known for his pioneering use of planes in the early days of the aviation race, and his use of submarines to explore uncharted waters near the North Pole. In 1935, after a number of visits to the Antarctic, Wilkins completed the first trans Antarctic flight with fellow flyers Ellsworth and Hollick-Kenyon, from Dundee Island to the Ross Ice Shelf.
Wilkins has a number of sites in the Antarctic named in his honour such as Wilkins Island, Wilkins Ice Shelf and the Wilkins Aerodrome near Casey Station.
Fabrics: Tea dyed cotton ink jet printed. Cotton batting. Commercial backing and binding.
Photo Reference: www.southpole.com
History - Significant Structures
Mawson’s Hut
Mawson’s Hut was constructed in 1912 at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay. The Hut was listed on the Register of National Estate in 2001 and the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2004.
Mawson Station was constructed close to the site of Mawson’s Hut and was named after Mawson in 1954.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Ink jet printed cotton. Inktense pencils - hut. Cotton Batting. Commercial Backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Frank Hurley - State Library of NSW.
Davis Recreation Hall
Situated on Co-operation Sea, Vestfold Hills, this station was established in January 1955 with the official opening taking place in 1957. Named after John King Davis, this site was listed on the Register of National Estate in 1999 and is also listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
The first sighting of the coast was in 1931 during the second BANZARE (British Australian New Zealand Antarctic Expeditions), aboard the “Discovery” under the leadership of Mawson.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Shive stick texture rubbings. Cotton batting. Commercial backing and binding.
Photo Reference: R Dingle.
Macquarie Island Futuro House
Between 1911 and 1914 Macquarie Island became a base for the Australian Antarctic Expedition under Mawson. The station was used for a number of expeditions until it was shut down in 1915. The Island was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1933.
The Futuro House was designed by Matti Suuonen in 1968 as a portable ski chalet. It is approximately 4 metres high by 8 metres wide and were often referred to as a “Googie”. With a reduced number of windows specifically designed to meet harsh Sub Antarctic conditions, these pods have been used throughout the Island since the mid 1980’s.
Extensive building upgrades are now occurring on the island to continue the service to the Antarctic program.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Organza windows. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Aleks Terauds.
Casey Tunnel
Wilkes Station was built by the United States in 1957 for the International Geophysical Year of 1958 -1959. Australia took over the station in 1959. In 1964, a new site was established 2 kms away on the shores of the Bailey Peninsula. In 1969 the complete structure was named after Governor General Richard Casey.
The original design for the station had all of the buildings off the ground and in a line. A curved tunnel structure was installed along the windward side to offer greater protection from the elements. By the mid 1980’s, the origianl tunnels had been replaced with more suitable building materials.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Shiva stick texture rubbings. Wool/silk fibre fabric. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Neil McIntosh.
The “A” (Antarctica) Factor
What Makes Antarctica Antarctica
Aurora Australia
The Aurora Australis or Southern Lights, occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with atoms in the upper atmosphere at the pole.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Organza based wool/silk fibre fabric. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: David Hardy - www.sciencephoto.com
The South Pole
There are a number of South Pole locations! Magnetic South Pole, Geographic South Pole, Geomagnetic South Pole and the Ceremonial South Pole. This is what the Ceremonial South Pole looks like!
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Lumiere paint. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Bill Spindler (US Antarctic Program).
Adelie Penguins
Penguins are synonymous with the Antarctic. Adelie Penguins build their nests from small rocks found or pilfered from around the breeding grounds.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Art Wolfe / Getty Images.
Crevasses
Crevasses are natures way of reminding us that we are a small piece in a big puzzle. They are beautiful, awe inspiring and treacherous!
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Wool/silk fibre fabric. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Alex Ratson - Getty Images.
Coral Reefs
Currently, only two to three percent of the thousands of the kilometres of coastline in the Australian section of Antarctica, have been explored. Much of what has been explored though, shows reefs of unimaginable beauty and diversity. Robots are now the key to the safe exploration and imaging of the coastline.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Cotton batting. Thread webbing (3d elements). Beads. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Science Symposium 2022 AAP Dr Jonny Stark.
Sundogs
Sundogs are created when sunlight refracts through ice crystals in the atmosphere and creates a halo.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Wool/silk fibre fabric. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: South Pole Telescope.
Iceberg at Sunset
Icebergs come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Regardless of size, they are intoxicating in their beauty.
Fabrics: hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: www.coolantarctica.com
The Key to the Future
Keys
Antarctica is a vastly complex place with many individual facets that must be considered for their own merit as well as in conjunction with each other as part of the whole picture. Some facets are clear and concise. Others are not so clear, but are still critical.
The key to Antarctica is time to understand the past and dedicated commitment into the future.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton, Cyanotype cotton. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Design source: Original
Katabatics
Katabatic winds are fierce winds that are created by downward pressure of cool air responding to gravitational forces
The key to understanding Australia’s weather, is to understand the weather in Antarctica, and vice versa! They are inextricably linked and of enormous importance to each other.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton, Cyanotype cotton. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Design source: Original design.
Million Year Ice Core
The key to understanding weather patterns , is to dig into the past. The Million Year Ice Core project offers an insight into these weather patterns of the past. The further into the past, the more data can be obtained for identifying long term patterns into the future.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton, Cyanotype cotton. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Design source: Original design.
Krill
The key to the future of our oceans and the animals that live in it, is to understand the health, numbers, location and quality of krill. Krill and other phytoplankton are the most critical foundation blocks that feed the complex ecosystems of the Antarctic region and the rest of the globe.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton, Cyanotype cotton. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Design source: Original design. Photo Reference - Humpback: Mateusz Atrozko - Istock.
Whales
The key to the future of the Antarctic region means there is a responsibility to ensure that all of its inhabitants, big or small, can exist in a way that ensures their safety and ongoing presence in our waters.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton, Cyanotype cotton. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Design source: Original design. Photo Reference - Whale: Alex Rockheart - Shutterstock.
Compass
The key to Australia’s future lies in ongoing commitment to understanding Antarctica.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton, Cyanotype cotton. Metal beads and compass rose pointer. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Design source: Original design. Map Reference: www.gisgoegraphy.com
The Antarctic Science Foundation
The Antarctic Science Foundation enables private funding to help researchers understand how changes on southern polar regions will affect the planet and humankind.
More information can be found at the Australian Antarctic Program website.
The following pieces show what donations can be used to support.
Feather Forensics
The collection of feathers allows for forensic analysis to take place that can identify the presence of a range of chemicals.
The levels of these chemicals can help to determine the quality and quantity of the food source for the bird.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Ink. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Design Source: Original design.
Chemical formula Source: www.pubchem.nmcbi.nim.nih.gov
Amino acid list: www.researchgate.net
Plankton
Seawater is analysed to understand the impact of climate change on plankton. As plankton is a foundation of the ocean food chain, this understanding is pivotal to understanding the health of the ocean.
Hand dyed cotton. Lumiere paint. Beads. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: www.escope.com
Satellite Images
Satellite images are used to monitor the ice shelves, sea ice and cloud formations during the yearly cycles.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Lumiere paint. Beads. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for Backing and binding.
Photo Reference: AAD.
Data Analysis
Data analysis sessions of vital input to models of interaction are used to develop climate change mitigation strategies.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Coloured cord. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Source References: “Demographic and maturity patterns of Antarctic krill in an overwintering hotspot”. Published 2022. C S Reiss, J T Hinke, G M Watters.
Krill - Oystein Paulson.
Seal Trackers
Seal trackers assist in mapping the underside of ice shelves as seals move through the icy waters.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Wool/silk fibre fabric. Lumiere paint. Cotton batting. Commercial backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Chris Oostuizen
Marine Probes
Marine probes are used to analyse water and assess changes in the habitats of whales.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Lumiere paint. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
References: Nuyina -2020 Australia Post Postage Stamp - Lynda Warner.
Probes - D Luquet IMEV, UTAS - blog.criso.au/explainer
UTAS / Australian Maritime College.
Whale Habitats
Marine probes are used to assess changes in the habitats of whales throughout their migration paths.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Organza. Ink. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Source Reference: Ocean Life Education Annual Whale Migration.
Albatross GPS
GPS are used to track flying seabirds such as Albatross, to better understand feeding grounds and travel distances.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Shiva Stick texture rubbing. Lumiere paint. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: MrBoneless24 (Reddit).
Penguin Trackers
Satellite tracking is used on penguins to learn their winter secrets!
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Crystals. Lumiere paint. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Design source: Original.
PhD Scholars
PhD scholars drive the science in Antarctica every year ensuring that really smart people can start to answer the tough questions posed by this challenging environment.
Fabrics: Hand dyed cotton. Hand painted skyline. Lumiere paint. Cotton batting. Commercial fabric for backing and binding.
Photo Reference: Gordon Tait.
In Conclusion:
In all, 34 pieces were produced. Initial difficulties in creating one piece a day were due to the need of the hand dyed fabrics. Also, not having a clear overall concept or story for the pieces to fit into initially, delayed design creation.
Once a range of hand dyed fabrics were produced and the overall story more clearly defined, design creation was faster. Skylines were created to suit a design choice. Fibre fabrics were also produced to meet specific design needs. Both techniques required numbers of hours to dry, so could not be worked on until the following day.
All design choices were heavily researched to create an image that was reasonably easily identifiable and only required a small amount of additional information to tell that part of the story.
This project was just as much proof of concept (that I could do it!), as it was giving myself permission to delve in to many old and new techniques, with a clear sense of exploratory purpose.
I thoroughly enjoyed this project and am pleased with the result. There is so much story to tell!