Foundation Stone
Draws attention to the geological material used in its creation, Mt Bundy granite, exploited in the construction of Darwin City.
Large blocks of granite are often used as the foundation plinth or base for a statue, memorial or plaque. In contrast, this artwork foregrounds the granite as the artwork, drawing attention to its inherent aesthetic qualities and making the often overlooked or invisible visible.
One intention is to bring awareness of this place through an aestheticized geological encounter that may enrich the discovery of our deep connection with, and history of, the Earth imprinted on us. Drawing attention to the ground beneath our feet can link both the interconnection of inner-city streets with that of the land on which they inhabit. Foundation Stone embodies the local and specific while also connecting to, and intersecting with, global conversations around history and place. The artwork is both archive and symbolic memorial to Mt Bundy where this rock was sourced from a quarry that was otherwise destined for international export.
Meet the Artist
Lee Harrop (Instagram: @lee_harrop)
I am a full-time practicing visual artist with over 20 years of public exhibition history which includes site and context-specific installations and major outdoor sculpture exhibitions. My research-led art practice is ecologically oriented with an intention to bring awareness to environmental and social justice issues through my artworks.
The conceptual underpinning of my work leads the choice of materials I use such as neon, photography, sculpture, sound, and performance. Over the past decade I have predominately used discarded byproducts from the mining industry such as geological core samples which are cylindrical forms of rock created in the process of extractive drilling in mining exploration. This has led to collaborative projects with geoscientists connecting art and science to produce new interpretations made accessible to a wider public.
Through these collaborations and other interdisciplinary interactions, I have gained new skillsets and a deeper understanding of the subject matter and materials I engage with. The creative outputs from these collaborations have been presented in traditional spaces such as gallery and outdoor sculpture settings, and non-traditional spaces such as state-owned geological core libraries.
My related research is published in traditional and non-traditional formats. I work concurrently on self-initiated and collaborative interdisciplinary projects managing competing exhibition, publication, and project deadlines.
Photographer: Helspix
