FENCES AND CHAINS

Fences and chains

Fences and chains

Fences and chains

Fences and chains

Fences and chains – charcoal shadow drawing

Being in the arid zone of western New South Wales I was struck by the sense of fragility of the environment. Previously I had made works here in the past by scuffing my boot heel on the lake to create a line, expecting that it would be gone with a some wind and rain. I was shocked to return to the site 18 months later to lines still clearly visible. With this learning in mind I became increasing aware of mine and others impact in this place.

This work was created as a very delicate counter point to one of the most dramatic and aggressive impacts that are plainly clear to see. Clearing the land at this location is achieved through a process called chaining. Simply put, it means two bulldozers drive through the landscape in parallel lines. Between the bulldozers is a massive chain that is dragged and scrapes it way along the land surface tearing out bushes, trees and any form of vegetation that gets in its way. While the land had been chained many decades earlier the evidence was still clear with areas littered with upended trees, bushes and long spindly exposed root systems. In fact the top line of this work is made from long roots torn out by the chaining process.