Dean Ansell
Native Australian Grass
Historical Contours of Barrambin begins at the old Jacaranda tree and takes the form of a winding path of grass that’s left to grow that branches out in two directions, weaving their way through the trees along the edge of a gulley and returns back to the Jacaranda. The paths are punctuated by three dramatic native grass clusters providing a moment to pause and reflect on grass species native to Barrambin and the greater Meanjin (Brisbane) area.
The work encourages guests to walk along the grass path whilst immersing themselves in the natural environment around them.
This work is inspired by the natural lay of the land and the beauty present in the natural features of Barrambin, it’s historical and current water channels. Guided walks will be held by an ecologist on the Green Heart Fair day, and live performances will immerse guests in stories of this place.
Following the Green Heart Fair, the native grasses will be planted permanently in the park in the Murray Spenazi Bushland Area.
friendly ecologist
Eleanor Valesquez
Eleanor is passionate about education as a transformational experience, scientific communication, research, and the use of storytelling to break down accessibility barriers to research and scientific understanding. Currently, Eleanor is the Education and Training Manager at TERN (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network) at The University of Queensland, where she manages education and training programs in ecology, environmental sciences, and data sciences. In addition, she is an Adjunct Level A, Academic at Griffith University, where she continues to supervise PhD candidates and mentors early career researchers.
Driven by her passion to understand ecological processes, environmental protection, and managing biodiversity sustainably, Eleanor believes in the transformative power of the arts combined with other disciplines to empower participants and drive positive change through broader society. As a result of the insights garnered due to her experiences teaching at University, her Masters in Education, and her theatre degree, Eleanor has become passionate about producing creative outputs that take participants on a transformational journey to view things in a new light.
Acknowledgment of Country
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land of the Turrbal and Yaggera people, and pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging; on which the following intsallations will be displayed.