ALY DE GROOT - LUCKY AND SMILING AT …

Influenced by the diversity of cultures and the intensity of climate and landscape in Northern Australia, I am a contemporary fibre artist whose inter-disciplinary I was given frequent and behind the practice involves translating basket making scenes access at the park, which is a vast processes along with man-made materials nature playground situated 50 kilometres such as fishing line and ghost nets. out of Darwin. As an Artist in Residence, formulating ideas and projects which can I frequented the park on a regular basis inspire and educate, using readily available You may have experienced my multi- to research ideas for new work as well as materials that may otherwise pose an coloured jellyfish installation hanging engage the broader community through environmental threat. in the trees at last year’s Geelong contemporary fibre art workshops. FORUM or at least read about them in My recent work is titled ‘Underwater Garry Benson’s story in the February issue I took advantage of the unique and diverse Basket Weaving’, as I was interested to of Textile Fibre Forum magazine. And it’s surroundings, facilitating birds nest basket discover that the American term is used to true - I am not just a crazy jellyfish lady; my weaving workshops in the tree top aviary. depict ‘easy’ degrees that have no valuable obsession has now extended to an even However, my favourite hangout was the educational content. deadlier creature that frequents Northern walk-through aquarium which houses some Australian waters. of the Top End’s most amazing aquatic life, Since 2005 I have been experimenting including Graham. with discarded fishing nets to make When participating in the Territory Wildlife GhostNet Baskets. These baskets are, in Parks residency program from July to As the Lecturer in Visual Arts at the actuality, dysfunctional as utilitarian December in 2012, I was fortunate enough Batchelor Institute for Indigenous objects , and their primary purpose is to to stumble upon an unlikely collaboration Tertiary Education, as well as being a PhD establish a creative avenue for educating and love affair with their ridiculously Candidate at Charles Darwin University, people about these nets as well as finding handsome resident 4-metre long , I value the inspiration and knowledge a creative opportunity to utilize a dire affectionately known as Graham. gained and exchanged through environmental threat.

46 Textile Fibre Forum | Issue No.110, 2013 www.artwearpublications.com.au Once they are removed from our oceans As well as holding workshops I also to TWP as an alternative to becoming a and beaches, ghost nets continue to be developed new work, which involved product for the high end fashionistas in an ecological burden by becoming landfill sitting near Graham for many hours, Paris, London, New York and Sydney. He or omitting poisonous greenhouse gases weaving and watching as the still beast was paired with a female on two separate when they are burnt. only seemed to move or show any interest occasions and bashed them both; I don’t when small children stood on the ledge recall whether or not he killed one, but In March 2011 I worked with GhostNets near his glass enclosure…. I think he may have, so he has been a Australia and Indigenous Rangers on bachelor ever since (Wedd, 2013). Groote Eylandt to find creative ways to use This quiet time with Graham has resulted the nets to make baskets, , sculpture in new work where I have extended I felt lucky indeed to have had the and wearable art. processes used previously to make my opportunity to spend so much time in the jelly! sh, to give form and life to some presence of such a magni! cent beast, but Although weaving is often used as an crocodile skulls. am very grateful for the thick perspex which ecological metaphor, the physical act of separated my good self from the walking adopting contemporary basket making The resulting ghostly ! gures titled hand . I also felt blessed to utilise the techniques, along with recycled detritus Lucky - The Guardian Angels For all Things Wildlife Park as a resource for inspiration as can promote an intimate understanding of Protected, are aptly named because well as an avenue for communicating with responsibility and relationship to place. So crocodiles are a protected species, unlike the broader community about the impact I found it ! tting to hold underwater basket many of the water dwelling creatures in debris has on marine life in the Top End and weaving workshops with adults and the Northern Territory who are su" ering throughout Australia and the world. children in the aquarium, where we wove from marine debris and other ill-willed baskets, sculpture and even Christmas human activities. Emersion in an unfamiliar landscape decorations from discarded marine refuse undoubtedly informed and in# uenced new which poses a threat to many of the I also made a collection of jewellery from design concepts and work, and I anticipate water species found in the Wildlife Parks copper, brass and crocodile titled the opportunity to create an ongoing Underwater Sanctuary. Animal Alchemy. My inspiration came creative relationship with the Territory from a workshop with renowned Wildlife Park and broader community American ! bre artist and jeweller, Mary by holding a solo exhibition in the walk- Hettmensberger, when she visited Darwin through aquarium in August 2014. in September last year. The artist has obtained all relevant permits Dion Wedd, the Curator of Natural Sciences from the Northern Territory Parks and at the Wildlife Park, told me that Graham Wildlife Commission to possess, use and was gifted to the Wildlife Park in 1991 from sell crocodile products in her art practice. the Northern Territory . He Aly’s participation as an Artist in the Park was going to be made into due to at the Territory Wildlife Park (http://www. his cantankerous nature, but was o" ered territorywildlifepark.com.au ) was made possible by the support of sta! at the Wildlife Park and Arts NT.

For more information on Aly’s upcoming exhibitions and workshops check out her website- www.alydegroot.com

Opposite page, two versions of a crocodile… and examples of the jewellery created by Aly de Groot from copper, brass and crocodile skin for her series, ‘Animal Alchemy’. This page the full length of the crocodile created from fi shing line, with shadow, made by Aly de Groot who is shown at the Museum of South Australia with her award winning Box Jellyfi sh installation for the 2010 Waterhouse Art Prize.

www.artwearpublications.com.au Textile Fibre Forum | Issue No.110, 2013 47