Weyba Bridge Park, Noosaville
When you walk the residential streets of Noosa – or any suburb, city or town, really – it’s difficult to imagine a time when trees spread abundant in the places where houses now stand. And Noosa does it better than most (when it comes to preserving trees, that is – there may be an argument, however, about the resources required to construct many of these opulent dwellings and the exclusivity of their clustering contributing to displacing people as well as trees. But that’s a conversation about capitalism and consumerism best left for another time. Let’s not propose Noosa become a socialist – as opposed to a sub-tropical – paradise just today).
James Voller’s, Tree House, is a grid-like photographic installation that is arranged to mimic urban planning and spread. Cutting into the lush surrounding landscape, these images of houses are installed to create a tension with the natural environment – echoing the imposed order of colonisation and modern development.
The installation of these images appears provisional – their method of installation recalling early interventions in bushland by those who sought to bend it to suit their own needs.
ARTIST BIO
James Voller’s artistic practice integrates public art installations and photography, with his sculptures exploring architecture, landscape, and social histories. He has worked on large-scale artworks in diverse locations – both urban and rural – nationally and internationally.
A photo grid of houses shows how we plan cities, asking us to reflect on nature, growth, and changing landscapes.
