Circular Economies Residency: Ilona McGuire in Carnamah #3

Aug 18

Ilona McGuire is currently working with the community of Carnamah (Amangu and Badymia land), hosted by North Midlands Project. This residency is part of SPACED’s current regional residency program, SPACED 5: Circular Economies.

Ilona writes about her final solo week before being joined by collaborating artist, Zali Morgan. She reflects on her feelings of overexposure as a mirror of her recent experimentations with Cyanotype artworks; which rely on images developing after exposure to the sun.

Last Week in Carnamah for a While…

As I rolled on back for my last week in Carnamah (just for a little while), I started to feel quite restless. I’m still trying to find the words to describe it, but I believe it was an unfamiliar feeling of overexposure. Which is definitely quite fitting of my work here, what a full circle moment! Ya gotta laugh.

Truthfully, I don’t enjoy this amount of time on my own and by that, I mean, away from my husband and my family. My time in Carnamah gives me quiet, contemplative space and time to explore my practice uninterrupted by the hubbub of Perth, especially where I live amongst a hive of activity.

Since this trip, I’ve spent more time in the bush and out in the regions whether it be the Kimberley, Wheatbelt or the Goldfields. But the difference has been, that I’m surrounded by family. Sitting together for hours into the night around campfires, digging up bardi grub, cooking kangaroo tail and bush turkey in the ground oven and belly laughing through all the yarns. These expanses of dry and dusty plains layered in history helped my mind and spirit open to new ideas and time to process recent losses in my family.

Out here, I can hear a gentle voice, my spirit shyly whispering that she wants something different. For me to slow down, pay attention to country and the stories of our Old people. I think sometimes that might sound cliché but I really feel a knocking at my heart, a longing for community and the old ways of living surrounded by familiar faces and laughter. I miss my people and I miss my country.

This journey has taken me through many stages of liking my own company, discomfort in the loneliness and resolution of these thoughts that may lead me to something more grounded, communal and family-oriented. Maybe it’s just how I’m feeling today or maybe I’m just paying attention to my instinct. But I feel the most gratitude for this endeavour, I’m only even more grateful to be collaborating with my deadly sister-girl, Zali Morgan, who has agreed to join me on this journey now.

The next phase of this project will involve more of a collaborative approach between us where we can explore our differing and shared perspectives through our respective creative practices. I have so much respect for Zali and her practice as a young and dynamic curator, artist and all-round creative. I can’t wait to get stuck in and make something beautiful together!

Photos courtesy of the artist: WIP work with cyanotypes and image of Carnamah founding woman, Carnamah Hawk, Bardee grub photo taken in Kalgoorlie recently, Cyanotype printing with my body, new work detail.

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.

Learn more about Ilona McGuire.

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