A community-based project in the West Australian wheat belt inspired artist Greg Pryor to create after-dark video art and a ‘muddy tarp’ installation that sensitively integrate the environment and its land-holders.
Story & photos by Orien Harvey
Kellerberrin, 205 kilometres east of Perth, looks like any Western Australian wheat belt town: the obligatory strip of shops lining the dusty main drag, some empty and for sale; the massive steel artery heaving towards Kalgoorlie; and the railway line. But there is something different going on in Kellerberrin. It is home to International Art Space Kellerberrin Australia (IASKA), a unique organisation helping artists to produce original work based around the town and its people.
Since it was established in 1998, IASKA has worked with the local farming community and research scientists from CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems to build cultural voices and an artistic dialogue. “We want a real relationship between the artist and the community, with art born and developed there,” says the current director of IASKA, Marco Marcon, one of the four people responsible for founding the organisation. The remaining founders represent the local farming community as well as a practising artist.
This story excerpt is from Issue #51
Outback Magazine: Feb/Mar 2007
