Trickling all the way down

Lilah Redden, Hobart City High School

In collaboration with Danielle Zimmermann Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, UTAS

Artist’s Statement

My artwork is made to capture a moment that I witnessed during my time at Del’s lab.

The aim of Del’s research is to investigate and report on changes that have occurred on the Tasmanian Coastline. She does this by collecting samples of sediment to observe and identify what lies within.

During a lab visit I got to experience how Del conducts her investigation, she showed me equipment used in the sediment collection process. I got to personally separate the sediment by size using sieves, I then got to examine it under a microscope while I learned about how Del does this to report on what is currently living in the environment she is investigating.

The goal of my artwork was to capture that moment when the sieves were used and to turn it into something beautiful. I used real stainless-steel sieves, fishing line, and plastic beads to represent the process of when the water and sediment were filtered through the sieves, the clear and colourful beads mixed with how the artwork is lit from above is meant to illuminate and add a magic to a fairly simple situation.

Semi-hidden amongst the beads, made from polymer clay and acrylic paint, are southern biscuit stars, ramshorn-squid shells, brittle star legs, and scallop shells inspired from a mix of queen, doughboy, and Tasmanian scallop colours and patterns. They are all roughly based on ones I observed while at the lab, or from things I’ve seen personally while exploring Tasmanian beaches.

Most of the little creatures weren’t visible until they were placed under a microscope, I found this a perfect opportunity to bring attention to things we rarely see. Del’s hope for her research is to show people the wonders hidden just below them whenever they’re at the beach, and I hope to do the same with my artwork.