Earth Canvas—the exhibition exploring regenerative farming through art
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The National Museum of Australia’s (NMA) latest exhibition is hoping to educate Canberrans on the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices. Meet Earth Canvas.
Nine leading Australian artists have come together from across New South Wales to show their appreciation (and understanding) of how to properly nurture a healthy ecosystem after immersing themselves in local farms and experiencing their practices.
Collaborating to explore the benefits of regenerative farming in Earth Canvas—showing at the NMA until Sunday 30 October—the new exhibition uses art to celebrate the creativity of farmers. Inspired by their individual contact with respective farmers and landscapes, the Earth Canvas artists aspire to show their audience the positive impact that limiting industrial agriculture can create.
Local Canberran artist Alexander Boynes has joined with Ros Atkins, Jenny Bell, Jo Davenport, Janet Laurence, Tony Nott, Idris Murphy, and John Wolsey for this project in response to the regenerative farms they visited—all situated between the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers in New South Wales.
According to the National Museum director, Dr. Mathew Trinca, the exhibition plays an important role in exploring the origins of our food and of the agricultural processes behind it.
“Art is a great way of exploring how regenerative farming can play a role in addressing the contemporary climate challenges facing the country.” he says.
View from inside the Earth Canvas exhibition gallery at the National Museum of Australia.
Earth Canvas is currently on a national tour and, at each new venue, picks up a local artist to join the project and contribute their own art interpretation to the exhibition.
For the Canberra leg of the tour, Alexander Boynes has created a multimedia piece inspired by his time at Millpost farm—a sustainable 1,200-hectare property on Ngunnawal/Ngambri country located between Queanbeyan and Bungendore.
According to Alexander, the artwork seeks to address a holistic approach to what regeneration in contemporary Australia looks like.
“It’s not just about caring for our shared environment in the face of the climate emergency, but how we can respect and acknowledge Australia’s 65,000 years of First Nations history.” he says.
David Watson—a third-generation grazier from Millpost farm—says sustainable farming practices can reap a vast range of rewards, such as the return of wildlife, learning how to be self-reliant in regard to food, and producing fine wool that can be sold and turned into quality clothing and items (amongst many other benefits).
“Watching our trees grow, and the birdlife returning. The regeneration of our grassy woodland sites. Learning how to be self-reliant for food. Producing fine wool that we now sell direct to knitters and crocheters. It’s all very beneficial to our land,” says David.
Other artworks in the exhibition include an installation work by Janet Laurence, paintings by John Wolseley, Jenny Bell, Jo Davenport and Idris Murphy, prints by Rosalind Atkins and photographs by Tony Nott.
Supported by a series of public programs hosted by the NMA, Alexander will be hosting a talk at Millpost Farm on Saturday October 8. With a tour and picnic lunch provided, it’s a chance to explore the farm that inspired his work.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Earth Canvas
When: Until Sunday 30 October
Where: National Museum of Australia
Web: nma.gov.au
Feature image: Artist Alexander Boynes in his studio with his piece Listening Across Time for the Earth Canvas exhibition.
