Yarrapahinni
Nicole Welch
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Artist’s Statement
The Yarrahapinni time-lapse film records tidal flow into an estuary, symbolically referencing the rejuvenation and reawakening of a wetland environment. Recorded on location in the Yarrahapinni Wetlands National Park it is an affirmative work that celebrates our capacity to rebuild fragile ecosystems. Framed within an antique gilded frame, Yarrahapinni references the history of landscape painting, drawing parallels across time.
The Yarrahapinni Wetland Restoration Project undertaken by the Water Research Laboratory in collaboration with the NSW National Parks, has successfully rebalanced the hydrological and water quality conditions to naturally encourage the regeneration of what was a highly acidic wetland. It is now a thriving estuarine wetland with greatly improved bird and fish habitat and with regenerating mangrove and saltmarsh endangered ecological communities.
Artist’s Reflection
The scientists’ use of remote and on ground monitoring and sensing techniques, including satellite and infrared mapping was of particular interest to me, as they are technologies that I have used in my arts practice to record landscape, and to extend and collapse time. For wetland restoration projects this visual data is collected to analyse changes in wetland distribution, vegetation, tidal inundation and health of the estuary over time. Constructed from 4800 high resolution photographs captured over several hours the Yarrahapinni infrared time-lapse film mirrors the use of these scientific methodologies to speak to the potential of environmental restoration and rejuvenation.
The area is in the country of the Dunghutti and Gumbayaggir nations. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and give thanks for the opportunity to make work at this significant location.
Yarrahapinni was generously commissioned by the Manly Art Gallery & Museum for the Manly Dam Project 2019/2020.
Nicole Welch is represented by MAY SPACE Sydney.
Yarrahapinni framed
Nicole on location at the Yarrahapinni National Park 2019
About the Author
Nicole Welch is a mid-career multidisciplinary artist based in Bathurst. Her in-situ LAND & BODY works explore personal, cultural and environmental histories, echoing the symbiotic relationship we have with an enduring natural world, and our ephemeral place within it. Welch’s works have been widely exhibited throughout Australia, and are held in numerous prominent National collections.
www.nicolewelch.com.au @nicole_welch_artist
To cite this piece
Welch, Nicole. “Yarrahapinni.” Fusion Journal, no. 19, 2021, pp. 175-177. http://www.fusion-journal.com/Yarrapahinni/
First published online: March 2021
