Catherine has drawn on this time of immense personal uncertainty as well as global uncertainty to imagine a changed social order, in which nature could reassert itself.
Artist Statement
Living on a remote coastal farm near Manypeaks in the Great Southern, Catherine Higham is used to driving long distances. She perceived the road itself as a border: asphalt creating lines in the landscape. In early 2020 her partner had a catastrophic work accident. During a period when regional borders were closed, Higham frequently drove the near empty roads, crossing the checkpoint at each border, to visit her partner in hospital in Perth.
Higham has drawn on this time of immense personal uncertainty as well as global uncertainty to imagine a changed social order, in which nature could reassert itself. In her art practice, Higham explores what it is to be human, within living systems that converge.
Unseen Assembly
Roads between our home at Manypeaks to Fiona Stanley Hospital define a 500km border separating natural and man made: mainly forest and farms, either side of asphalt. During COVID-19 lockdown, road trips to hospital were eerily quiet. There was hardly any traffic, and an absence of car wrecks and dead animals.
Animal bones have been collected from the farm and the side of the road to suggest an eye chart, fit for the third millennium.
The message behind the work is don’t rely on what you know. Check your eyes as there are many living species with their own languages and wisdom all around us, that we may be oblivious to.
Biography
Catherine Higham is a contemporary artist, and is also primary carer for husband Geoff who suffered a life changing spinal injury in 2020. The couple live on their small coastal farm near Manypeaks in Western Australia. The artist has a diverse practice that includes sculpture, painting, printmaking and digital media.
Catherine exhibits extensively, and has work held in private and corporate collections. Qualifications include a Bachelor of Contemporary Art (Honours), Grad.Dip.Ed., and Grad.Cert.Ed., (Design and Technology). With a passion for sharing the arts through workshops and teaching, she believes that all people are creative and runs workshops and classes as needed.
Connect
Website: arthut360.au/
Instagram: @arthut360
list of works
Catherine Higham
Unseen Assembly
2022
Digital assemblage on aluminium plate
120cm x 50cm
$1800
Artwork
