COAL LAKE, 2024 - 2025

This project is the second in the Land Minds series and has provided the two artists the opportunity to refine process and intentions for their collaboration. Coal Lake is inspired by the rehabilitation plans for the former coal mine site Hazelwood in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia. The plan includes turning the 4000 hectare site into a pit lake, drawing on water sources from surrounding areas. Further reading on these controversial plans can be found here.

The artists commenced the project in late 2024 and are now in the site research and documentation phase. The development of initial creative works has commenced through a series of collaborative in person sessions. Exploring this site through the artists chosen mediums is supported by additional research, further community engagement and consultation and is due to be completed in the first half of 2025.

This is an ambitious project that will see Laura create ten oil paintings and Alisha develop two compositions. The outcome of this project is a combination of immersive sonic, visual and written works with the view for these to be exhibited in the local area alongside an opening live performance.

“What first sparked my interest in these rehabilitation plans is the sheer scale of it. Living nearby and having passed by the Hazelwood site on a number of occasions, this site is immense in size, it will take more water than is in the Sydney Harbour to fill it. I introduced this project to Laura after reading notes from a local community engagement session with Engie. The complexities of this site, the rehabilitation plans and the potential community impact immediately inspired us to centre our second collaboration around it.” - Alisha Redmond

PREVIEW OF INITIAL WORK for coal lake