Denise James

February 2011
What the Anabranch Gave Me

“We have been lost to each other for so long. My name means nothing to you. My memory is dust. This is not your fault or mine”. Anita Diamant; The Red Tent

Rivers in literature and culture are often referred to by gender identities relating to their status and power for example “Old Man River” from the musical Show Boat refers to the Mississippi in the USA, were as The Ganges is referred to as her or mother by Indian people. The anthropomorphic qualities we give to rivers enable me to relate to the dried creek that is situated on our property, as a metaphor for the vicissitudes of my life.

I have selected the creek bed to explore for two reasons; firstly because the dried creek appears as an un-named line on maps, being the only written reference available, secondly Blaise Pascal the 17th century philosopher in his writings Pensees infers humankind should learn to appreciate and have knowledge of their immediate surroundings. This is sound advice as I intend to become familiar with my place by camping in the creek bed for extended periods, this will allow me to observe the environment of the dried creek and gain an understanding of the place. John Wolseley states that living in the landscape is,

“...a kind of meditation on how land is a dynamic system of which we are all a part”

My work will be the result of my explorations into my place

Diary Entry: 31-01-2011 What the Anabranch Gave Me

As a result of the recent rains, some parts of the dried creek bed filled with water. Over a short period the water evaporated and I could walk in the creek bed, I found a treasure of rusted metals, shards of ceramic crockery and many glass bottles that the rain had washed to the surface.

I have re-contextualise these bottles from their original purpose, into relics, by wrapping each bottle with rice paper, tying the paper with fine linen thread, frottaging the detail on some, then placing the vessels into the glass cube.

By this process of re-contextualisation I will pay homage to the people that lived on the property prior to my family.


DARE 2 For Dareton will be an art/craft space for all members of the Dareton community
regardless of the individuals socio, ethnic and/or cultural background.
This art/craft space will provide a safe environment for all participants to express their
creativity freely.
Our intention is for the art/craft space to initially be focussed on women from all ethnic and
cultural backgrounds where they will have the opportunity to be engaged in a creative space. 
Leading on from this we further intend for the space to be inclusive to all of the surrounding
community.
Our Vision
We envisage that all members of the community will have the opportunity to engage in art
and craft at many levels.
These may be:
Practicing artists that are willing to share their skills.
People that wish to “have a go at a project” to learn new skills.
School children and youth.
We wish to engage individuals who don’t normally actively engage in the community.
We envisage urban revitalisation projects creating artworks at a local level.
We would like to create a place where members of the local community can come together to
express concerns or issues through the artistic process.