The Symbiogenesis Project

Artist: Paul Kalemba and Aviva Reed
Year: 2011
Location: Eltham Town Square, Luck Street, Eltham

About the artists

Paul Kalemba is a first generation Australian artist with a broad and inquisitive practice. Ranging from painting, photography and video, to assemblage, public sculpture and intervention, Paul's practice combines traditional and contemporary processes in response to ethereal experiences within nature. It is inspired by intersecting knowledge within phenomena, myth, and natural science, and tells stories of ecologies and place.

Aviva Reed is a transdisciplinary visual ecologist. Her practice reframes scientific theories, particularly concepts associated with evolution and ecological categorisations. Her work moves between performance, ritual, lecture, publications and visual art. She explores time, scale and relationship using storytelling, visualisations, soundscapes and conversation.

About the artwork

In 2011, a series of workshops were held at Edendale Community Environment Farm within the propagation sheds called ‘Propagating Art’ for local youth in the area. The result was a 12 metre public place-based mural on the ecology of Eltham to be used in the redevelopment of the Eltham Town Square.

The mural process explored local ecology, threatened species, map reading, botanical painting, and large-scale acrylic painting. The final work showcases the Birrurung, which flows through each panel, and includes important threatened species found within the area - Powerful Owl, Eltham Copper Butterfly, Macquarie Perch and Rosella Spider Orchid. The artwork also includes other important relationships these species need to survive.

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