Unvanished is a new artwork from Barkindji artist Kent Morris and his first collaborative 3D creation extrapolating from his photo based digital practice.
Kent Morris describes Unvanished as an act of reconciliation in itself that brought him together with non-Indigenous creatives including multidisciplinary sound designer James Henry (Jimmy Little’s grandson), and the team at Studio John Fish.
“Collaborating with a diverse array of creative specialists over a wide range of technologies has given me the opportunity to expand my art practice and broaden its message to a wider audience,” Kent Morris Said.
A final collaboration with immersive tech studio Phoria incorporates an Augmented Reality filter so people can use their devices to explore the artwork in digital ways, create their own content and share their experience of the artwork via social media.
Unvanished is a large-scale installation (6 metres wide and 4 meters tall) featuring a sculpture surrounded by a lit pool. According to the artists, this lighting feature aims to bring people together in a moment of reflection.
The sculpture is crowned with three oversized cockatoos, paying homage to the significance of Australian native birds in Indigenous culture and story as ancestors, protectors and messengers.
“The interaction of native birds with the built environment reflects resilience, adaption, continuity and change.”
Unvanished will be opened at Federation Square on the 27th of May at a special event featuring Shauntai Batzke performing Deborah Cheetham’s musical Acknowledgement of Country, Long Time Living.
The installation will be on display 24 hours a day from the 27th of May to the 5th of June.
