Lucille Martin’s Solo Exhibition RIGHT FIRE Highlights the Importance of Indigenous-Lead Fire Management Initiatives

Linden New Art is proud to present RIGHT FIRE, an exhibition of photographic work by contemporary artist Lucille Martin, who works within Nyoongar (Perth) and Naarm (Melbourne).

Comprising photographic documentation captured between 2018 and 2021, RIGHT FIRE explores the revival of ‘good fire’ practices held on Gumea Dharawal Country. RIGHT FIRE commences Thursday 21 April with an opening reception 6-8pm, and will run until Sunday 22 May 2022 in the Linden Projects Space.

In 2018, during the first of two artist residencies with Bundanon Trust, Martin was invited to observe the inaugural Indigenous fire initiatives and cultural burn program undertaken in the lead up to the 10th National Indigenous Workshop on Gumea Dharawal Country, South Coast NSW.

The Fire programs were activated by Bundanon Trust on behalf of Firesticks Alliance by Uncle Noel Webster, Elder of Yuin Walbunja-Murramarrang Country and the Wodi Wodi Traditional Custodians of the Yuin Nation.

Martin’s immersive large-format works explore her passion for the natural environment, documenting changes facilitated to save Country, restore damage incurred by climate change all while generating significant environmental, social and cultural benefits. Martin firmly believes Indigenous custodians hold the link to our fight against the climate crisis.

Martin’s passion to share the visual experience of the Cultural Burn practice became more relevant once she learnt that the areas in which the program was administered were unaffected by the devastating Black Summer fires.

Her photography highlights the importance of Indigenous-lead programs and initiatives in managing land and healing our environment. RIGHT FIRE draws attention to a positive association towards fire, its documentation inspired and reflective of Martin’s exposure to First Nations knowledges embedded in reading the land, soil and fire circles.

More About the Artist, Lucille Martin

With a career spanning 25 years, Lucille Martin is an established Australian contemporary artist whose multidisciplinary practice integrates iPhoneography, photo-media, textile and performance to explore themes related to the natural and physical landscape, the social psyche and deep ecology.

For Martin, her application of iPhone-capture acts as an extension of the body in the merging of performative and documentary practices she captures while walking the Australian landscape.

Martin has received significant awards including four Australia Council for the Arts grants, a career fellowship from Department of Culture and the Arts, West Australian and peer-awarded residencies in Tokyo, New York and Australia. Her program of work encompasses curatorial practice, community community development, higher education and policy advocacy.

Lucille received permission to use the term ‘Right Fire’ from Victor Steffensen, Indigenous filmmaker and Fire Practitioner, descendant of the Tagalaka Nation of North Queensland. Victor’s video and books will be available for purchase during the exhibiton duration.

Lucille acknowledges and pays respect to Firesticks Alliance, the Wodi Wodi Traditional Custodians of the Yuin Nation, Uncle Noel Webster, Elder of Yuin Walbunja-Murramarrang and Indigneous Fire Practitioners Ado Webster of Wandrawandian, Walbunja and Jacob Chant Morris of Gumea Dharrawal for assisting and allowing her to share these images taken in line with good fire practice, acknowledgement and protocol.

All the details

Location: Linden New Art, 26 Acland Street, St Kilda 3182 (Bunurong Boon Wurrung Country)

Exhibition dates: 21 April – 22 May 2022

Opening reception: 21 April 6-8 pm

More information on the exhibition.