re:tracing Dietrich

<b>A taxonomy of things (Melaleuca drift) 2016</b><br />
detail of installation view<br />
Paperbark, entomology pins, dimensions variable

A taxonomy of things (Melaleuca drift) 2016

<b>A taxonomy of things (Horseshoe Bay) 2016</b><br />
detail of installation view<br />
Steel test tube holders, glass test tubes, coral, feather, bone, seed pods

A taxonomy of things (Horseshoe Bay) 2016

<b>A taxonomy of things (two and a half roos) 2016</b><br />
detail of installation view<br />
Kangaroo remains, white cotton gloves, paper label, dimensions variable

A taxonomy of things (two and a half kangaroos) 2016

<b>A taxonomy of things (constructing botany) 2016</b><br />
detail of installation<br />
Sea glass and plant cuttings, dimensions variable

A taxonomy of things (constructing botany) 2016

<b>Roadside archaeology I 2016</b>detail of installation viewWork gloves, unidentified animal bones, aluminium and steel cans, displayed on painted timber workbench, dimensions variable

Roadside archaeology I 2016

<b>Roadside archaeology II 2016</b>installation viewPlastic bottles, entomology pins, installation view

Roadside archaeology II 2016

<b>unidentified pinned diptera 2016</b><br />
digital photograph

Diptera series 2016

<b>Entomology research lab 2017 </b><br />
installation view<br />
Stereomicroscope live streaming via digital video camera to LCD screen, lamp, photographic prints, insect specimens pinned and wet, entomology tools and pins, books, various laboratory consumables, PPE, workbench and stool.

Entomology research lab 2017

Re:tracing Dietrich is a project in which I conducted artistic and scientific fieldwork in Central and Northern Queensland.
In February 2016 I retraced parts of the journey of Amalie Dietrich, a German Naturalist working in Queensland from 1863-1871. With the assistance of a Griffith University Honours College Summer Research Bursary I travelled for two weeks in a campervan I had turned into both a mobile laboratory and studio on wheels. I wanted to know: would it be possible for an amateur naturalist like myself to retrace parts of Dietrich’s journeys and discover new species of insects? What could a dual goal of scientific discovery and artistic speculative research yield as outcomes?
I travelled 2,500 kilometres on this trip to where Dietrich lived and collected in, including Mackay, Lake Elphinstone and Bowen. I was alone in the wildness. I taught myself to collect botanical and entomological specimens to professional scientific standards in the months prior to the trip.  I set traps for insects that I made myself from curtain fabric and recycled plastics. I collected over 12,000 specimens, mainly flies. I picked up objects I connected with along the way. I worked everyday in 35+ degree heat. I got heatstroke. I learned a lot about myself. Back in the universities ecology lab in Brisbane I began the ongoing process of sorting and classifying the specimens. I documented my responses to the various experiences with photography, video and sound recordings. From this fieldwork I developed a range of artistic strategies, processes and artworks.