Circular Economies Residency: HONF in Narrogin #4

Nov 5

House of Natural Fiber’s (HONF) Irene Agrivina is currently working with the community of Narrogin and hosted by Arts Narrogin and shares her most recent reflection. This residency forms part of one of SPACED’s current programs, Circular Economies.

Earth Hymn

Coming back to Narrogin feels like returning to something warm, calm, and familiar. As I travel by bus from East Perth Station, the landscape gradually unfolds. Rolling fields, scattered eucalyptus trees, and the soft hues of the bushland bathed in the afternoon light. The view feels both new and known, as if whispering quiet stories of my previous visit. I wonder what this second journey will bring. Will it reveal another secret hidden beneath the land, another untold story from the past, or offer a new understanding that guides the future?

Beneath these lands lie layers deep,
Of memory and meaning kept in sleep.
Colourful soils, ancient stones,
Hold whispers of time in earthy tones.

The wildflowers breathe a gentle scent,
Their fragrance through the valleys sent.
Bird calls drift on winds that weave,
Through branches murmuring, soft with leaves.

Each sound, each scent, each tender hue,
Unfolds a story old yet new.
Fragments of wisdom softly cast,
Echo voices from the past.

And in their song, the promise gleams
Of balance born from nature’s dreams.
A quiet vow the earth imparts,
Harmony between our worlds and hearts.

When I finally arrive in Narrogin, a familiar face greets me with a warm smile and drives me to my new accommodation, a lovely, quiet place in the suburb, within walking distance to both Arts Narrogin and ArtRetro. The atmosphere feels safe and comforting, like being welcomed back into a home. The next morning, I join the town’s big event, Narrogin Agricultural Show, a vibrant community fair that seems to gather almost everyone from Narrogin and the surrounding towns. The place is alive with colours and sounds. Stalls filled with paintings, handmade crafts, fresh produce, and even competitions for the most beautiful roses. I wander from one display to another, meeting familiar faces from my previous visit, engaging in small conversations, lending a hand where needed, and sharing laughter. As evening falls, music fills the air, followed by the sparkle of fireworks lighting up the sky. In that moment, surrounded by joy and community spirit, I feel deeply touched. Narrogin has welcomed me once again, wholeheartedly and warmly.

The following day, I am shown the space where I will be working during my stay. The local producers have thoughtfully prepared a cozy corner for me to conduct my experiments and develop new works; a space filled with light and warmth. I am moved by their kindness and the genuine sense of support that surrounds me. Being among such creative, generous, and passionate people gives me renewed energy. Later, we visit the local gallery, intimate yet inviting, perfectly sized for thoughtful encounters with art. Together, we sit down to discuss the upcoming program, coordinating our schedules and ideas to ensure that everything flows smoothly.

I visited Dryandra Forest with Ross and Tom to look for ochre, a breathtaking place filled with beauty and stories hidden beneath its soil. As we walked deeper into the forest, surrounded by towering trees and a carpet of wildflowers, I felt a sense of mystery in the air, yet something deeply familiar too. The earth beneath our feet shimmered with hues of red, yellow, and brown, traces of ancient pigments that seemed to hold the memory of time itself. We stopped at a quiet spot and began to dig gently, collecting ochre from the ground with care and curiosity. Each handful of earth felt alive, connecting us to something older than words. When we finally returned, our hands marked by the colours of the land, there was a shared happiness among us, the quiet joy of discovery and connection.

Later, we continued our conversation at the local pub, sharing stories over food and laughter as the evening settled in. The day ended with a deep sense of gratitude for the land, the people, and the continuing bond that Narrogin offers. It felt not merely like a return, but like becoming part of a living story, one that continues to unfold through nature’s rhythm, shared creativity, and the gentle warmth of community life.

I began my first experiments, exploring the alchemy of fermentation, where ochre pigments, hematite, goethite, limonite, and kaolinite are reawakened by microbial life. In this living process, the colours shift and textures emerge anew. These materials are translated through DIY electronic sensors into sound and video, creating a dialogue between matter and data, between geological time and biological metabolism. Our project, Pigments of the Earth reflects the enduring connection between the planet’s pigments and human civilisation. For millennia, ochres have carried stories of ritual, expression, and identity, linking the soil beneath our feet to acts of creation. Here, ancient minerals and microbes merge with contemporary technology, transforming the Earth’s slow processes into multisensory experiences that bridge ecology, culture, and memory.

Colours of the earth,
Shifting in quiet life.
Between soil and human hands,
Stories unfold, subtle and alive.

Life flows through hidden layers,
Minerals and microbes in gentle motion.
Forms and textures emerge,
Creating visions from the ground.

Unheard voices linger softly,
Speaking through sound and light.
Messages carried from the earth,
A living bond between past and now.

Images courtesy of the artist: Narrogin Park, Narrogin Town, Artworks at Narrogin Agricultural Show, Narrogin Agricultural Show, Working at ArRetro, Dryandra Forest, Dryandra Landscape.

More information about the Circular Economies artists, host communities and projects as they unfold can be found by subscribing to SPACED’s monthly email newsletter, and following SPACED on Facebook and Instagram.

To learn more about HONF, M.Haryo Hutomo and Irene Agrivina, check out their respective Instagram profiles.

Circular Economies is produced as a joint partnership by PICA - Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and SPACED.