The Museum of the Great Southern welcomes Western Australian interdisciplinary artist Tineke Van der Eeckens and her Tributaries exhibition.
The exhibition, which opens to the public on Saturday, 5 July, includes jewellery, small fine metal sculptures, and objects formed by corrosion casting, a process by which resin is injected into animal organs and other biological systems to form moulds of internal spaces.
These objects are placed in dialogue with photographic images and poetry documenting the thrum of life and death of fragile environmental arterial systems, connecting root, river, skeleton, and vein. Tributaries is both a contemporary memento mori and a testament to the interconnection of humans, animals and the environment.
Tributaries shares Van der Eecken's concern for the degradation of Western Australia's environment and culture while recognising their complexity and vulnerability.
"As a Flemish-born migrant from Belgium -- a densely populated colonising and colonised country -- I try to tread lightly. This exhibition reveals some layers of history and shows how we humans are capable of enslaving the natural environment to make it suit our needs. I like to also see it as a call to care for it more deeply."
Tributaries is an excitingly unique exhibition that the Great Southern is fortunate to have, said WA Museum Great Southern Regional Manager Catherine Salmaggi.
“There are so many people in the Great Southern who are interested in flora, the environment, art, writing and photography, which makes Tributaries and Tineke’s workshops so well suited to our community,” Catherine said.
“The exhibition is free and runs until the 28 August, and I encourage everyone to come and take a look."
Van der Eecken is a highly regarded artist whose practice articulates narratives of place. She communicates concepts through exceptionally crafted jewellery and sculptures, poetry, and photography.
With a Master's Degree in Criminological Science, Van der Eecken feeds this into her art. The scope of her narrative takes in oceans, wetlands, and ancient reefs and delves deeply inward to the internal places of physical bodies.
As part of the exhibition, Van der Eecken will host a series of free workshops on Saturday, 6, Sunday, 7 and Monday, 8 July. Registration for the workshops and further information is available on the Museum’s website at https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/greatsouthern/tineke-van-der-eecken-tributaries?utm_content=sitemenu&utm_source=visit
Tineke Van der Eecken: Tributaries touring exhibition is presented by ART ON THE MOVE with the support of the WA State Government’s Regional Exhibition Touring Boost. It is touring regional venues in WA until 2025.
