RIGHT FIRE, is an exhibition of photographic work by contemporary artist Lucille Martin, who works within Nyoongar (Perth) and Naarm (Melbourne). Comprising performative photographic documentation captured in 2018-21 while artist in residence at Bundanon Trust, NSW, Martin was invited to observe fire initiatives that focused on the revival of ‘Good fire’ practice on Gumea Dharawal Country, hosted by Indigenous Firesticks Alliance and facilitated by Mudjingaalbaraga people in the lead up to the 10th National Indigenous Workshop on Gumea Dharawal Country. RIGHT FIRE was exhibited in April 2022 at LINDEN NEW ART, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
Martin’s immersive large-format works explore her passion for the natural environment, documenting changes facilitated to save Country, restore damage incurred by climate change all while generating significant environmental, social and cultural benefits. Martin firmly believes Indigenous custodians hold the link to our fight against the climate crisis.
Martin’s passion to share the visual experience of the Cultural Burn practice became more relevant once she learnt that the areas in which the program was administered were unaffected by the devastating Black Summer fires. Her photography highlights the importance of Indigenous-lead programs and initiatives in managing land and healing our environment. RIGHT FIRE* draws attention to a positive association towards fire, its documentation inspired and reflective of Martin’s exposure to First Nations knowledge embedded in reading the land, soil and fire circles. With a career spanning 25 years, Lucille Martin is an established Australian contemporary artist whose multidisciplinary practice integrates iPhoneography, photo-media, textile and performance to explore themes related to the natural and physical landscape, the social psyche and deep ecology. For Martin, her application of iPhone-capture acts as an extension of the body in the merging of performative and documentary practices she captures while walking the Australian landscape.
Martin has received awards including four Australia Council for the Arts grants, a career fellowship from Department of Culture and the Arts, West Australian and peer-awarded residencies in Tokyo, New York and Australia. Her program of work encompasses curatorial practice, community development, higher education and policy advocacy.
Lucille pays respect to Indigenous Firesticks Alliance, Uncle Noel Webster, Elder of Yuin-Walbunja-Murramarrang Country, Ado Webster Wandrawandian - Walbunja and Jacob Chant Morris, Kurial Yuin - Gumea Dharrawal for permission to share these images taken in line with good fire practice, acknowledgement and protocol. *RIGHT FIRE’is a term developed by Victor Steffensen, Indigenous filmmaker, Fire Practitioner and descendant of the Tagalaka Nation of North Queensland, in his book Fire Country,
Description : RIGHT FIRE : Alight Burrawang was photographed at night when Lucille was taken into the sacred cultural fire practice. The cool burn forms gentle circular fire around the plant to allow animals and insects to leave the plant while the gentle burn takes place. When the fire gently slows and stops the native animals and insects return.
