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In 2014 Katie Roberts began an Artist Residency at Darebin Parklands, (rehabilitated bushland park) in Melbourne Australia. Through this online journal I will record the development of the work, redocumenting the Darebin Creek, its natural and urban surrounds and history. This project is part of a long-term endeavor to redocument the length of the Yarra River and its catchment area, the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people and modern day Melbourne.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

The last day of the artist residency

It was a year ago today I started this residency at Darebin Parklands in beautiful, inner city, bushland park in Melbourne. Last Sunday was the last day of my exhibition Darebin Drawings that I held in the studio at the completion of this residency. After a year here it was both sad and joyous to be finishing.



I am really proud to have created the work I have and to have established the Artist in Residence which I hope will be ongoing, with another artist starting after me. It has been a big year. I have produced over sixty works including five very large drawings, smaller works on paper, several oil painting and artist books and hundreds of photographs and even a few video pieces. 

Finally, I have also produced a book, a small square record of the Darebin Creek collection that I hope will leave a legacy of this body of artwork about the creek for future generations. It should be available early May for anyone who is interested.

The Darebin Creek work is ongoing, even though the residency and exhibition is over. I have only made and completed a third of the work I want to make so I imagine I could easily spend another year or two on the creek making art. So if you see me and my bike making some art by the creek, stop and say 'Hi!' The best thing about doing this residency has been meeting all the community who care so much about the creek and park, the environment and history of the area. What a fantastic community.

So, thanks to the rangers especially head ranger Peter Wiltshire for being so supportive sharing all his vast knowledge and creating this space in the first place. To also to Katy, Therese, Adrian and Peter. Thanks to the Darebin Creek Management Committee for being so supportive and open to this idea. To the Friends of the Darebin Creek and the Darebin Parklands Association, all the visitors and volunteers.

It's been a great journey! :)

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