Exhibition: Pigments of the Earth by House of Natural Fiber (HONF) with Arts Narrogin

Oct 27

SPACED and Arts Narrogin are excited to announce Pigments of the Earth, an exhibition by Irene Agrivina and M.Haryo Hutomo X HONF (Indonesia), a culmination of their Circular Economies residency in the town of Narrogin.

Exhibition Runs: 7 - 17 November 2025
Where: Nexus Gallery, 82 Federal Street Narrogin

Pigments of the Earth is an interdisciplinary installation merging art, science, and technology to explore the living relationship between geological and biological systems. It responds seamlessly to the residency’s purpose and the theme of Circular Economies by exploring the sustainable use of natural pigments through biosynthesis, fermentation, and environmental interaction. By examining pigments' cultural and scientific dimensions, the project fosters a closed-loop system where traditional knowledge, biological processes, and artistic expression contribute to resource efficiency and ecological sustainability.

The project responds to the landscape of Narrogin by acknowledging and integrating local heritage, environmental practices, and First Nations knowledge. Western Australia's rich natural landscapes and histories of pigment use, whether in rock art, textiles, or ecological traditions, provide a meaningful backdrop for this inquiry. The work investigates how the planet produces its own colours, sounds, odours, and movements through processes of transformation such as mineral oxidation, microbial fermentation, electronic sensing, and audiovisual translation. By combining artistic exploration with scientific research, the project will present a unique perspective on pigments as an immersive installation integrating them with sound, and interactive elements.

SPACED: Circular Economies has seen five international, national and local artists spend sustained time in regional WA communities, supported by local arts organisations. The artists have dedicated their time in residence to socially engaged arts practice that engages local communities and is responsive to local contexts and the project theme of Circular Economies.

‘Circular Economies has seen SPACED continue its nearly 30-year history of meaningful collaborations with regional communities. Through the residencies, artists will be invited to consider their practice in a new context, understand Australian regional perspectives, and learn from local arts practitioners, building capacity through skills exchange and reciprocal knowledge sharing.’ – SPACED Curator, Miranda Johnson.

For more information please visit Arts Narrogin's website.

The House of Natural Fiber (HONF) Foundation is a creative community of artists, DJs, physicists, hackers, architects, scientists, makers, activists, expert users, and designers who test the possibilities of media art to address critical social issues through science and technology while pushing the boundaries of art and individual authorship.

Arts Narrogin is a not-for-profit association that supports and promotes art, culture and entertainment in Narrogin and the Dryandra Country region. With a rich history spanning over a decade, they deliver a diverse annual program encompassing live performances, visual arts exhibitions, workshops and community projects. They have a strong focus on community engagement and believe arts experiences should be accessible to all, regardless of age or location.

SPACED is committed to facilitating the creation of innovative, context-responsive contemporary artworks by forging partnerships between artists and regional communities and will work to nurture artistic practice and community involvement as the projects emerge.

Image by Danielle Halford.

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SPACED is supported by West Australian Government, through the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, and the Commonwealth Government through Creative Australia.