Sonia Leber and David Chesworth: Where Lakes Once Had Water

Artists Sonia Leber and David Chesworth travelled with a team of scientists investigating changes in the climate, landscape, and ecology over many millennia in the Northern Territory. Where Lakes Once Had Water, 2020, channels this experience. The video work is a journey encompassing audio-visual realms, scientific endeavour and traditional Indigenous knowledge, stories and custodianship – a coalescence of efforts to understand the ancient land: recording signs and markings in rocks and landscapes, registering termite mounds, erosions, tree lines, and the effects of water, sun and fire.

Sonia Leber and David Chesworth, Where Lakes Once Had Water (video still), 2020, two-channel 4K UHD video, stereo audio, 28:24 minutes. University of Wollongong Art Collection. Courtesy the artists and Charles Darwin University Art Gallery

A CABAH Art Series Commission in association with Bundanon. Filmed on the lands and waters of the Mudburra, Marlinja, Jingili, Elliot, Jawoyn and Larrakia communities in Northern Territory, Australia, with additional filming and editing on Barkandji, Dharawal, Djabugay, Yidinji and Wurundjeri Country.

Charles Darwin University Art Gallery
20 March to 15 July 2023
Northern Territory

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