"In my artistic practice, I am deeply drawn to connecting with the natural elements that influence the growth and vitality of kangaroo grass. This particular project allowed me to delve into the essence of this plant, its surroundings, and the intricate relationships it shares with the environment. Through an immersive creative process, I sought to capture the profound connection between the grass, the soil it thrives in, and the elements that shape its existence.

To embark on this artistic journey, I dedicated time to engage with the place and the tangible aspects that resonate with my senses. I embraced the opportunity to feel, smell, and touch the elements surrounding the kangaroo grass, allowing them to guide my artistic expression. Utilising the soil in which the grass flourishes, I let the gentle breeze delicately transport it onto paper. The strokes and marks left behind were then meticulously recorded using a water pen. As the warm afternoon sunshine bathed the paper, the simultaneous drying and transformational process began, facilitated by the evaporation and absorption of the water. By immersing myself in close proximity to the soil, I endeavoured to tap into the energy and goodness that enfold the grass plants. Through this intimate connection, I sought to understand and visually convey the profound harmony and balance that exists within the natural world".

In essence, my artwork encapsulates a celebration of the intertwined energies that shape the growth and vitality of Kangaroo grass. Through a sensory exploration and a deep-rooted connection to place, I strive to evoke a profound appreciation for the harmonious relationship between nature and art. [Mia Hacker, 2023]

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2024/25 Carbon Dating QLD Tour

supported by Flying Arts

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Dog Wood Crossing 

22 March - 11 May

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Warwick Art Gallery

13 June - 13 July

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Redlands Art Gallery

11 Aug - 29 Sept

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Caloundra Art Gallery

17 Oct - 8 Dec

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Tablelands Gallery

17 Jan - 25 Feb 2025

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Qantas Founders Museum

15 March - 15 June 

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Bundaberg Art Gallery

18 July - 7 Sept

Whispers on the Wind

Medium: Cold Pressed vintage paper with Natural earth pigments and hand harvested water

 

Dimension: 440mm x 350mm Framed

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I want the visitor to think about how the wind onsite will effect the growth potential of our planted grass samples.  How the grasses will respond when they are full of more growth when the wind does whistle across the paddocks and along the rushing Numabulla (Mary River).

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In my ongoing artistic exploration, the "Whispers on the Wind" series encapsulates the essence of my intimate connection with the environment, specifically inspired by my involvement in the Carbon_Dating project. As an artist dedicated to works on paper, utilising natural pigments, and embracing plein air painting, this series is a visual narrative that reflects my profound response to the landscapes where Kangaroo Grass thrives.

 

The heart of Carbon_Dating lies in its celebration of the natural world, a sentiment that seamlessly aligns with my artistic philosophy. The plein air approach, with its immediacy and authenticity, became a transformative medium through which I could convey the energy and spirit of the environments where Kangaroo Grass flourishes. Each stroke of the brush became a dialogue between my artistic expression and the landscape's inherent stories.

Working with natural pigments, sourced directly from the very environment I was depicting, became a pivotal element of this series. These pigments, infused with the essence of 

Kangaroo Grass and its ecosystem, served as a tangible connection between my art and the subject matter. The materials themselves became a means of embodying the resilience and adaptability of Kangaroo Grass in the face of environmental challenges.

 

The "Whispers on the Wind" series delves beyond mere representation; it is an exploration of the delicate balance between art and advocacy. The works on paper are visual narratives that invite viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty of Kangaroo Grass while simultaneously contemplating the ecological narratives it encapsulates. Through this series, I aim to contribute to a broader conversation about the urgency of conservation, using art as a medium to amplify the voices of our natural landscapes.

 

As I reflect on the profound impact of the Carbon_Dating project on my artistic journey, the "Study of the Wind" series becomes a testament to the interconnectedness between art, nature, and environmental stewardship. It is an invitation to engage with the landscapes that inspire my work and, in doing so, foster a deeper connection to the environments we must protect for generations to come.

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Tinwalliwa & Numabulla

Using Elements of the Natural Landscape:
Mia and Kilagi drew inspiration from the natural landscape of Kabi Kabi country to create this expressive piece. 

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Medium: Cold Pressed vintage paper with Natural earth pigments and hand harvested water

Dimension: Estimate 1800mm x 1500mm (NOT framed)

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I want visitors to feel a connection to place. Let themselves drift away into the fields of grasses that they can picture in a natural rural view. Feeling the wind gently blowing and the cool cool winter water of Queensland creeks between their toes.

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In the collaborative creation of "Tinwalliwa & Numabulla," Mia Hacker and Kilagi Nielsen draw inspiration directly from the natural landscape of Kabi Kabi country, a region that holds deep personal and cultural significance for both artists. This expressive piece, the result of a collaboration after many years of mutual support, marks a significant milestone as their first joint venture into works on paper.

 

To authentically capture the essence of the Kabi Kabi landscape, we embarked on a process that involved close observations of environmental growing conditions. In an effort to truly immerse our work in the elements, we sought out the Walli Mountain creek water that gathers after rains, a vital resource that sustains the native grasses we aimed to depict. We used this water to soak the paper, incorporating the natural undulations moulded by the rocky creek bed into the very fabric of our canvas.

 

This collaboration allowed us to utilise elements of the natural landscape in a way that went beyond traditional artistic mediums. The undulating paper surface became a canvas for our mark-making, influenced by the rise and fall of the land itself. The found natural pigments onsite further connected our work to the environment, each stroke echoing the hues and textures of Kabi Kabi country.

 

To maintain the authenticity of our artistic process, we harvested small amounts of water from the creek to create solutions for the paper. This water not only served as a medium for our pigments but also became a symbolic link to the life-giving force that sustains the native grasses depicted in our artwork. The same water was later used to boil harvested kangaroo grass, yielding additional colours in the form of delicate yellows and light greens.

 

"Tinwalliwa & Numabulla" is more than a visual representation; it is a collaborative journey that intertwines our artistic expression with the very essence of Kabi Kabi country. Through this artwork, we aim to convey the interconnectedness of art, nature, and cultural heritage. It is a celebration of the land, a testament to the authenticity of our process, and a reflection of the symbiotic relationship between artistic expression and the environmental conditions that shape our world.