October featured artist

Filomena Coppola

Title: Fish out of Water – Summer Solstice

Medium: Pebbles, gouache, photography, labels

Location: Cafe 27 Deakin Ave

Artist statement

Fish out of Water – Summer Solstice is a development from an intervention project that I began at summer solstice, 2013 and continued through summer solstice 2014. I have been painting a lone sardine on a river pebble – the sardine is a reference to the waters near Sardegna and the Port of Napoli – the port where my parents began their journey to Australia. I then released a pebble at each of the eight sabbats. These represent the earth changes of the summer and winter solstice, the equinoxes and the four cross quarters of Lammas, Samhain, Imbolc and Beltane. Often associated with pagan festivals, I am acknowledging this history as well as connecting with the earth changes through out the year; the seasons, light and my own connection to place.

The first fish was released on summer solstice, 21 December 2013 at Elwood Beach. It was released at the edge of the breaking waves and then left behind to be either, swallowed by the sea or picked up by a beachcomber. The second was released at the Greco Roman columns near the Old Exhibition Buildings on Lammas, 1 February 2014, this was a reference to my Italian heritage. The sixth release was at Station Pier, Port Melbourne on Imbloc, 2 August 2014, this is where my parents arrived in Australia.  There have been nine releases in total and the final fish in this cycle was released on the summer solstice, 21 December 2014. This project has been extended into a nine year project, Fish out of Water – Summer Solstice where I will release a sardine painted pebble at the summer solstice for each year ending 21 December 2021.

Filomena Coppola, 2015