Nicole Jakins | Kookaburra with wonga wonga vine

Description

Artist Statement
My arts practice is informed by environmental concerns. These include the
challenges of a changing climate, impacts of species displacement through urban
sprawl, alongside the resilience and recovery of our native species after natural
disasters such as bushfires and floods.
These explorations translate to the methods I use incorporating ochres, dyes and
resins. Many of these materials are foraged from nature, and combined with
discarded, recycled and remnant objects. The raw truth that these materials offer
captivates me. They expose the connection between memories and place, or the
history of their usage, neglect or abuse. These histories are evident in surface dents,
scratches and scarring. If I incorporate new materials, I often scuff, hammer or mark
the surface to create imperfections.
I enjoy transforming salvaged, remnant and discarded materials by stripping,
cleaning and deconstructing. I then reconstruct these materials to reimagine them as
botanical specimens or features within the landscape. This material ‘rebirth’
symbolises species regeneration and resilience, despite the challenges that our
native flora and fauna face.
Fire, a reoccurring theme, is important as both an observation of environmental
concerns and methods. I often use flame-treating, burn or smoking techniques to
achieve earthy and often unpredictable surfaces. I use flame within metalsmithing
soldering techniques, clay-form kiln-firing, as well as to produce handmade dyes and
stains.
My current bird series combines stylised clay forms of Australian native birds with
mixed native plants. I use handcrafted ochres on white clay to form the bodies of
birds such as kookaburras, honeyeaters and lorikeets. Extending from these are
delicate appendages of leaves, vines and flowers made of mixed materials in earthy
palettes. This series looks to biodiversity, cycle of life, and the resilience of nature in
the face of changing environments.