Craft ACT Artist-in-residence 2014: Bogs and Fens

Bogs and Fens: a rtist-in-residence
Public program
Forum
Bogs and Fens: the interplay
between craft, science and the
environment
In 2014, the Bogs and Fens: the
interplay between craft, science and the
environment forum united three diverse
but interweaving sectors and with it,
a wealth of knowledge and varying
perspectives. Held at the Australian
National Botanic Gardens, it brought
together members of the community,
artists and leaders in the fields of craft,
design, environment and conservation.
Keynote speaker, Professor Geoffrey
Hope, focused on bogs and fens as
archives of environmental change.
He discussed the longevity of bogs
which have been around for more than
10,000 years and the recording of
changes in vegetation and fire regime
that reflect changing climates and even
human use. Looking at records from
subalpine moss bogs and the montane
sedge fens around the ACT, the audience
discovered how these communities reveal
major growth over 3000 years ago.
The three artists-in-residence spoke
about their work in the context of their
research and residency experiences whilst
allowing the audience to interact with
works-in-progress. Program partners
gave insights into their organisations’
individual involvement in and commitment
to the program.
ACT Park Ranger, Dave Whitfield,
contributed his experiences managing
the restoration of sub-alpine Sphagnum
peat bogs following the 2003 bushfires.
It was defined that of these communities
affected within Namadgi National
Park, between 55 to 100% of the
surface burnt on all bogs. Following an
on‐ground assessment it was decided
that a restoration program should be
commenced at selected bogs to aid their
recovery. Whitfield highlighted the unique
and valued ecological nature of the bog
communities, conveying their importance
as part of our water catchment regime.
The audience was enlightened by the
presentation of Seed Conservation
Biologist, Lydia Guja, where she discussed
her specialised work at the Botanic
Gardens. Guja monitors the strategic
direction and scientific goals of the
National Seed Bank and the expanding
existing seed banking and research
activities. Most pertinently, however, Guja’s
work is currently focused on the ecological
drivers of seed germination in species of
endangered Alpine Sphagnum bog and
fens. In this talk, the biologist exposed
some of the inner processes surrounding
the conservation biology and germination
ecology of these communities.
Left: Sally Blake’s preliminary work made during the residency period (detail), Gudgenby Ready-Cut Cottage,
Namadgi National Park. Photography: Art Atelier Photography.
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