Material Drift
Leonardson + Piva

Gathering unnatural and minimal organic materials from seashores, riverbanks and the surrounding environment, Newcastle-based artists Holly Leonardson and Brett Piva incorporate collected objects, natural materials and recorded experiences into their work through contemporary and traditional methods. The resulting works for Material Drift include paintings, ceramics, collage, assemblage, and for the first time, collaborative sculptures that touch on each artist’s time spent finding balance by reconnecting with natural spaces.

A desire to gain an understanding of the natural coastal landscape and reach a sense of belonging has resulted in the ongoing creation of works made using materials respectfully sourced from the local shores of Newcastle.

Assembling her collection of natural and unnatural beachcombing finds, thrifted shell necklaces, kitschy tourist keychains and ‘craft’ sand into 2D and 3D works, Holly applies painting and craft-based techniques to physically form her own budding connection to this environment.
A contrast between bright colours, simplified motifs and touristy tchotchkes with screen-printed photographs of mollusc egg casings, limbs of crabs long-gone and skeletons of sea sponges, these works also reflect how this
biodiverse environment is often reduced to common, easy to like motifs.

In June 2021, Brett Piva began a one-month personal artist residency on the Murrumbidgee River from its beginning to its end. Every night
of the residency Piva camped beside the river with his van equipped as both mobile artist studio and home. It was an overwhelming and successful journey to learn more of the rivers needs and its unnatural disruptions.

Piva’s earlier connections with the Murrumbidgee were predominantly based on nostalgic, loving memory. Now his connection is very different.
Through annual visits, he’s witnessed the rivers decline in fish breeding grounds, slumping banks, blue green algae, foreign weed growth and more from frequent flooding and water closures.

Each piece shares an organic inclusion from the environment creating a literal connection to the Murrumbidgee. This is formed by making natural pigments, fallen bark, branches, sap, clay, river water and snow that’s been respectfully collected with care and used within each piece.

Piva’s work forms a relationship between the natural and manufactured, where the fragility of the river captured in glass that is squeezed between robust materials like concrete and steel.