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Lauren Elise Kennedy
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Tread Softly" is a collaborative exhibition featuring seven artists who journeyed into the ancient and rugged landscape of the Pilbara to create works that reflect its unique power and beauty.
Carly le Cerf, Shanti Gelmi, Anita Phillips, Samantha Dennison, Rachel Falls Williams, Lauren Kennedy, and Jessica Howard each brought their personal perspectives and creative practices to an immersive exploration at Cheela Plains Station and Karijini National Park. Through plein air work and studio-based responses, they have transformed their collective experience into a series of sculptures, paintings, installations, ceramics, writing and photography that evoke the essence of this remarkable landscape.
“Tread Softly” engages visitors with a sensory tapestry of the Pilbara's iconic terrain. The works bring to life the striking contrasts of vibrant ochres, intense reds and softer, subtler tones that define the region. Together, the artists reveal textures that speak to the ancient rhythms of the landscape, the raw energy of its forms, and the tranquillity that arises from its isolation. Their interpretations are grounded in the tactile immediacy of the environment—a melding of rugged, weathered surfaces and delicate details that convey a deeply personal connection to place.
More than just a tribute to the Pilbara’s beauty, Tread Softly is a testament to the power of female collaboration, a shared artistic journey and friendship born from this shared creative experience. Through this exhibition, the artists extend an invitation to “tread softly” on the land, honouring the Pilbara’s natural and cultural legacy while celebrating the strength and unity of their shared experience.
Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge the Whadjuk people as the Traditional Owners of the greater Fremantle / Walyalup area – the land on which we gather - and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We recognize their role in preserving the beauty, knowledge, and resilience of this Country; respecting its history and the wisdom of those who have cared for it through countless generations.
We also respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land that inspired the Tread Softly exhibition: the Innawonga, Banyjima, Puutu Kunti Kurrama, Pinikura (PKKP), and Jurruru peoples. We honour their deep connection to the Pilbara, their enduring care for this ancient landscape, and their ongoing cultural and spiritual ties to the land, waters, and skies.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognize their custodianship of the Pilbara’s natural and cultural heritage. We strive to walk softly on the paths they have long nurtured.