The Bees and the Ledger investigates themes of industry, migration and work through the portrayal of Wasikowski’s maternal grandmother, Natalia Broadhurst. Arriving in ‘Australia’ from Poland in the 1970s, she could not secure work in her trade – the shipping and cargo logistics industry. Despite this, Natalia built herself a home and devoted most of her labour to studying, growing food, keeping bees and caring for family.
Drawing upon the cargo ship ledger as a visual metaphor, Wasikowski presents a photographic taxonomy of Broadhurst’s tools and belongings alongside scenes that trace her family history and working life back to Poland. Together, the images span generations and various forms of labour, connecting industry, migration, occupation, and daily life.
Situated alongside this work is a photographic studio—a working space inside the gallery where Wasikowski will extend this project over the duration of the exhibition. The studio will enable new photographic work to evolve as Wasikowski engages friends and family from the Polish community in Kamberri.
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