Circular Economies Residency: HONF in Narrogin #5

Nov 20

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.

The Pulse of Colours

In the second week of my residency in Narrogin, I settled into a warm and inviting workspace at ArtRetro, surrounded by a vibrant local creative community and supportive local producers. The space itself is full of life, walls adorned with local artworks, shelves lined with handmade materials, and a gentle hum of creativity that seems to encourage experimentation at every corner. From the very first day, I felt welcomed, and their guidance has been invaluable in helping me navigate the process of translating my ideas into a tangible exhibition. Arts Narrogin, in particular, has played an instrumental role, providing practical support and insight to help me shape my artistic vision. While I’ve had to adjust some of my usual practices to align with the rhythms and expectations of this community, these adjustments have offered me a deeper understanding of the local culture, its creative dynamics, and the unique environment of Narrogin. Each day has felt like a dialogue between my artistic intentions and the community’s ways of working, teaching me patience, adaptability, and the value of shared learning.

My experiments here focus on local materials and the meaning embedded within natural pigments. I explore how pigments can evolve beyond visual colour to manifest as sound and scent, bridging art, science, and ecology. Using fermented ochres, I study biochromatic transformations and how living organisms can alter colour, and translate these subtle shifts into sound through DIY electronic devices, while simultaneously exploring the aromatic potential of these mineral pigments. The process requires close observation, experimentation, and patience, as each pigment interacts with light, microbes, and environmental factors in unique and sometimes unpredictable ways. What fascinates me most is how these materials, formed over millennia, carry both a temporal and geological memory, allowing me to capture the slow processes of the earth and translate them into sensory experiences. This approach encourages participants and viewers alike to engage with the natural world in a way that is both intimate and experiential.

Red, yellow, white, brown
They turn into stories
Of culture, of music, of life.

Between the colours
Flows a mysterious energy,
Rising into light,
Resonating into sound,
Lingering in scent.

Between human and non-human
Moves a binding force,
An eternal power
That lingers
Through centuries,
Whispering the pulse of time.

In between my experiments, I took the opportunity to immerse myself in the local community. I visited the Farmers & Makers Market at the Narrogin Community Garden. In this bustling hub, local producers share not only fresh produce and handmade goods but also stories and traditions from the region. The market is a lively, sensory-rich environment, full of the earthy aroma of freshly harvested vegetables, the vibrant colours of handmade crafts, and the rhythmic sounds of live music performed by local artists. Local producers shared the history behind their practices, their connection to the land, and their passion for sustaining local culture. I felt a strong sense of belonging as people took time to ask about my work, offer advice, and encourage my experiments with natural pigments.

I was also invited to a family dinner at a nearby farm, hosted by one of the producer’s son and daughter-in-law, which became one of the most memorable experiences of my residency. Walking around the farm with three enthusiastic little girls, I learned about the plants they nurtured, the cycles of growth, and the care required to maintain such a vibrant ecosystem. The sun setting over the fields created a magical backdrop, illuminating the garden in warm, golden hues. Dinner was a feast of home-cooked delights, made from fresh local ingredients, and the evening ended with a charming dance performance by the girls, full of joy and energy. The warmth of this welcome made me feel as though I had been invited into a family, reinforcing the sense of community that underpins so much of life in Narrogin.

The following day, Elizabeth Peddler from SPACED joined me and the OPEN Space emerging producers for a relaxed lunch, where we coordinated efforts between them and the organisation. It was inspiring to see how the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and community can foster such meaningful collaboration. These moments of connection, exchange, and shared purpose are as important to my residency as the time spent in the studio; they remind me that art does not exist in isolation but thrives through engagement and dialogue.

Since then, my days have been filled with experiments, refining processes, and preparing for the exhibition in close collaboration with ArtRetro and Arts Narrogin. Each pigment experiment has become a meditation on time, nature, and the dialogue between tradition and technology. I document colour transformations carefully, adjusting light, fermentation, and application, while translating these changes into sound and exploring their aromatic potential through natural perfumes. This residency has been immersive, combining artistic exploration, cultural exchange, and reflection. The support of the local community and the inspiring environment at ArtRetro have enriched my practice, deepening my understanding of how art connects people to the natural world and its hidden processes.

Colour hums,
fresh produce, music, craft,
stories of land, hands, and seasons
bloom in quiet words.

Golden light spills across the farm,
laughter like sunlight,
yellow leaves sway in dancing shadows, joy weaving through the air.

Here, colour thrives
where people and place
gently meet.

Images courtesy of the artist: Pigment Making, Fermenting Pigment, Flower from the garden, Sunset in the Farm, Olfaction Pigments Process.

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.