Photograph: Anne Ferran
One of the greatest powers of art is how it teaches us to look beneath the surface to find meaning. There are hidden stories, cryptic clues, and traces of history that help shape our own lives.
‘One of the main reasons why we value the arts is that it takes you a bit deeper. It invites us to look at what is beneath the surface. I think all good art does that – even art that only appears to be about surface itself,’ said John Baylis, Chief Programs Officer at Bundanon Trust.
This year, Bundanon’s annual spring event Siteworks will explore how everything in art has a hidden meaning through its 2016 theme, Ghostings. ‘We are drawing the audience’s attention to what art does in every context.’
The theme is also a celebration of the 150-year history of the Bundanon homestead, which was gifted by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd. The festival has a tradition of bringing together art, science and the natural environment.
‘We wanted to create a program that reflected not just on the past, but the things that lie beneath what we see,’ continued Baylis. ‘The subtext is about what lies beneath the apparent surface – including history, including geology, and including ghosts.’
Katrina Strickland will discuss how an artist’s’ legacy is managed posthumously at Siteworks 2016.
As well as drawing attention to the meaning beneath an artwork and place, the program also uncovers the hidden contributors that make up an artist’s career trajectory.
This includes the idea of legacy and what happens when the artist themselves become a ghost. ‘I don’t think we pay enough attention to how artists structure their careers both while they are alive and also after their death,’ said Baylis.
‘There is a hidden discourse there and it is often associated with the pivotal role a partner has in supporting the artist during their life, as well as maintaining their reputation after their death.’
How a reputation is maintained is not something many of us are aware of. As part of the Sitework’s Conversations series, author of Affairs of the Art Katrina Strickland will discuss how an artist’s legacy is managed posthumously.
‘The role of the widow or widower is to try and make sure the ghost is not forgotten in a way, and that the reputation carries on when they are no longer here making art,’ said Strickland.
Such a supporting role ties into the theme of what lies beneath because as Strickland points out, many widows and widowers feel they are forever living in the shadow of their famous spouse.
‘It is both a privilege and a burden,’ she said.
While living in the shadows isn’t inherently problematic, as Strickland’s work uncovers, what lies beneath can be murky territory when it comes to the representation of women in the arts.
‘You only have to look at the list of top selling Australian artists – they are almost all men,’ Of course, there are fantastic female artists, but if the works of male artists fetch higher prices or are more collected, it becomes the job of the wife or widow to manage an estate and make sure everything is done properly.’
Siteworks 2016 will explore the theme of Ghostings. Image by David Varga
Other program highlights exploring what lies beneath include a real life ghost hunter Jason King talking about modern day ghost hunting.
The works of Indigenous artist Christian Thompson will transform the downstairs music room with performative photographs in the Polari series that are at once spooky and camp.
Alicia Talbot and her collaborators have created a durational performance exploring the invasion of a wild landscape by a car crash connecting people in Night Vision: a half-forgotten wreck, a joy ride, red dust flying and powerful country.
By shining a spotlight on what lies beneath, Siteworks 2016 aims to be a conversation between environmental science, art, history and culture.
‘The purpose of Siteworks is to have people come to Bundanon and experience art works that are made in direct conversation with the site itself – both with the cultural heritage and the Boyd legacy, as well as the natural legacy and Indigenous legacy,’ concluded Baylis.
Head to bundanon.com.au for the full line up and other information
