Inspired by the juxtaposition of pristine and sacred lands and seas across Arnhem Land, with the detestation of marine debris that litter them, Gyre ReFEFUSE was born.
Since moving to Arnhem Land in 2019, after having lived in Darwin since 1996, it was hard not to be inspired by the rugged, untouched beauty of both the land and the sea.
However, it was also impossible not to be heartbroken by the offshore debris being swept on to certain areas of the coastline.
Taking an experimental approach to not just repurposing the debris but transforming it in to a new medium, Gyre ReFUSE was born.
Working with marine debris that has been discarded from both legal and illegal fishing activity speaks profusely to the often-detrimental interconnectedness of human activity in both land and sea with the animals and cultures they share this earth with.
Utilising the vibrant colours inherent in the debris with geometrically inspired forms, each work is intent on not just making a fashion statement, but on bringing attention to the global crisis that is marine debris and the efforts of many who try to combat it.
Each handmade work is collected from the sands of East Arnhem Land, traditional lands and waters of the Yolngu people.
Travelling over 100kms of dirt and sand tracks, or a 40 minute boat ride, the marine debris is cleaned and processed – with each individual piece then taking up to 8 hours to craft.
Finishing techniques such as sanding and buffing are deliberately kept to a minimum in order to reduce the creation of microplastics. All waste is reprocessed for use in new works.
Since completing her First Class Honours in Creative Arts in 2009, Rebecca Arbon has forged a practice focused on found materials and the meditative repetition of the hand.
I pay my respect to all First Nations peoples and to elders past, present and emerging.
I pay particular appreciation to the Yolngu people of East Arnhem Land; whose lands I am privileged to live and learn on.
Gyre ReFUSE 