The Squatter’s Cottage has become alive with ingredients. Turmeric, avocado, sweet paprika, spinach, chai tea, onions, red cabbage, beetroot, and mushrooms are all on the table along with various liquid beaker concoctions of dyes made from these with additions of alcohol, bicarbonate, vinegar and borax too. Experimental photographic chemistry is in the making. Simone Darcy, the Squatter’s Artist in Residence in April through to early May, has dived deep into the Phytogram process. She has been using her own non-toxic plant-based developer and working directly onto 120mm and 4×5 film.
Simone says she’s also continuing her project “using gumoil prints, making some handstitched armour photo objects that will sit within acrylic cases. Each piece feels like a kind of talisman or protective skin, infused with gesture and time. They hold like relics: part garment, part document.”
Elements of influence in Simone’s work include Master printers from Japan. Some of her works on The Squat walls commenced at a previous international residency of hers such as at Studio Kura in Japan and more recently at the Devfto Printmaking Institute in Bali. Many of her works are years in the making with varied influences whilst also being centred upon and connected to place. During her residency, she’s walked and fossicked on The Foundations site, collecting the likes of mushrooms by the millpond for her natural dyes.
Having grown up in the Central West in Wiradjuri Country at Bedgerabong, it’s no surprise that Simone has been attracted to the exceptional residencies on offer in this regional area. In 2024 Simone spent time at the Corridor Project where she focused on the landscape of this area from the perspective of the female gaze working in the field. Work created at the Corridor Project includes ‘The Tor’, Silver Gelatin Prints which will be exhibited in the prestigious Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize 2025, 21 June – 6 July. Congratulations to Simone for this terrific acknowledgement of her work. About only 5% of the almost 2000 entries to this 2025 prize were selected.
Whilst being the Artist in Residence at The Squatter’s Cottage, Simone delivered two workshops to year 9 and 10 students of Scots All Saints College during their excursion to The Foundations. One of the teachers on the day quipped that the students “enjoyed the magic” and “learnt more in a day here than in a whole term”. Thank you to Simone for bringing some of her science and magic with her to The Foundations and sharing her alternative photography practice so generously.
https://www.instagram.com/simonedarcy/
Images 1-8 Simone Darcy and her work in the Squatter’s Cottage and 9-13 Alternative photography workshop led by Simone Darcy, credit Nic Mason, Arts OutWest, image 14 courtesy Simone Darcy.
