What Happens Between the Rain and the Ground, Jeremy Eaton
KINGS Artist-Run 2 October—25 October 2015
What Happens Between the Rain and the Ground continues a research project that explores the site of Gooninup, in Perth, Western Australia. The exhibited outcomes evoke a relationship between two features, a natural spring and The Swan Brewery, which have been central to the inhabitation, use and colonial appropriation of the site by various groups.
In 1837 the brewery was built adjacent to Perth’s first public water supply—a permanent natural spring at the base of Mount Eliza. Subsequently the spring’s water was tapped for the productions of the brewery and continued until 1861 when the spring was ‘decommissioned’ and converted into a memorial fountain. The catalyst for the project was what remains of the spring, a residual trickle and a shallow concrete pool. By considering the remnants of the spring I developed an installation to consider the politics elicited by the way various groups have engaged with Gooninup.
During the exhibition I also screened Martha Ansara and Robert Bropho’s documentary Always Was Always Will Be. The documentary tracks the 10 month political protest undertaken by Nungah groups that occurred on Gooninup in 1989.
The exhibition was made possible through the discussions and assistance with Andrew Atchison, Diego Ramirez, Martha Ansara and The Swan Valley Nungah Community.
Accompanying essay by Diego Ramirez can be found here.
For more information regarding the exhibition please visit KINGS Artist Run’s website here
Photos: Hamish MacDonald