Celestial Archipelagos is a very exciting new project for Tasmanian nature photographer Arwen Dyer and YOU can help make it happen. All pledges gratefully received. Choose from a special range of products as a reward.

Here's what it's all about...


'Icy Stillness'. Aoraki/Mount Cook, Aotearoa/New Zealand

CONCEPT
Celestial Archipelagos involves creating photographic art in response to the night skies and to skies in the twilight hours of islands in the high latitudes of the northern and southern hemispheres. The Arctic stage of the project involves an Artist in Residence on the Lofoten Islands in Norway and a photography tour in Iceland. The majestic fjords, mountain landscapes, remote location, island geography and wilderness value of these Arctic islands invites the art of landscape and astro-photography in a similar way to Tasmania and New Zealand, the other locations featured in Celestial Archipelagos.


Aurora Borealis over the Lofoten Islands. Image taken by Steven Henrikson.

PURPOSE
"My creative purpose for the project is to develop imagery that portrays a sense of place, including: the latitudinal situation of the featured islands as polar opposites (north and south); the spherical shape of Earth; spirals and circles in nature (particularly Earth’s rotation and lunar and solar cycles); and, archipelagos that reflect celestial patterns. Completed artworks will also express the emotional, physical and spiritual experience of my surroundings (especially islands, oceans, mountains, climate and extended hours of darkness). I anticipate that the artworks will evoke in the viewer a sense of, for example, extremity, solitariness, vulnerability and beauty. I also intend my artworks to represent the environmental issues facing islands globally. In particular, the impact of rising sea levels due to polar ice-melts as the planet warms due to human influence. I am interested in exploring and representing how the sea currents and impending impact of climate change affects the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of island inhabitants and artists, including myself".

Arwen's recent book, Luminosity: Star, Sky and Sea, featured photographs of the night and twilight sky over island landscapes: mainland Tasmania, Flinders Island and Kangaroo Island. For Celestial Archipelagos, the type of artworks Arwen intends to produce will be images of: the Milky Way and other constellations, auroras, the moon, landscapes lit by moonlight, sunrise and sunset, and, panoramas, star-trails, composites and time-lapse films. These image types depict (broad) landscapes that emphasize the polarities of the hemispheres and my emotional response to sense of place. To juxtapose this broadness and to create a sense of perspective, she will also create macro photographs of subjects such as ice, dew and endemic and introduced plants. Arwen says "I hope the inclusion of close-ups will evoke for the viewer further emotional and spiritual responses about changes due to global warming as well as representing my own lived experience of photographing and residing in island wilderness". Additionally, if funding permits, Arwen will take deep space photographs (which necessitate the use of telescopic equipment) to accentuate the polarity between outer space and Earthly existence. Again, these images will contribute to her visual commentary on climate change and the human impact on island environments.


'Aurora Glow'. Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania

OUTCOMES
The two primary aims of the International Artist is Residence stage of Celestial Archipelagos are: the creation of artworks and the advancement of skills. Greater technical and compositional skills will enable Arwen to create imagery of improved quality and receive higher regard, which in turn will allow her to expand her arts practice and its reach. One way to ensure this outcome is the delivery of exhibitions and publications. For example, Arwen will be exhibiting the project at Sidespace Gallery (Salamanca Arts Centre, Tasmania) in December 2016. Here artworks will be exhibited alongside artworks created on southern hemisphere islands (initially mainland Tasmania, Flinders Island, Kangaroo Island and New Zealand).

Additionally, Arwen has the opportunity to exhibit previous work and/or newly created artworks during her residency in Lofoten. This would be a noteworthy achievement for a Tasmanian artist, providing her with exposure and affirmation. Arwen says:

"Exhibiting my southern hemisphere portfolio in Lofoten would promote Tasmania (and New Zealand) to the public, including tourists and the arts community in the area. Additionally, exhibiting and working overseas presents me with greater opportunities to use my photos for conservation purposes. Showing my photos of the Tasmanian wilderness on an international stage would promote awareness of the fragility of the Tasmanian wilderness, its unique island geography and the impacts of climate change. My intention is that this promotion through photography will foster a dialogue and sharing of experiences about what it means to live on a (especially high latitude) island in 2016, a discourse to be continued when Celestial Archipelagos is later exhibited in Tasmania".

BENEFITS
"The Celestial Archipelagos project will undoubtedly advance my art career and enrich my artistic practice. My career stage necessitates challenges that further my skills and knowledge, particularly in panoramic, composite and time-lapse imagery. Expanding my portfolio to include intercontinental locations is central to raising my international profile. It is important to me as a female landscape photographer to gain merit in a male-dominated industry and to mentor other women in this art field. Additionally, I seek recognition as a photographer with strong values around conservation. This project offers a significant opportunity for me to raise my profile, undertake new challenges, network with other artists and organizations, reach a wider audience and generate income from my photography".


'Dawn Cascades'. Aoraki/Mount Cook with the Matariki/Palaides/Seven Sisters, Aotearoa/New Zealand

It is without doubt that Celestial Archipelagos is an ambitious and costly project. However, Arwen is a determined and passionate artist and environmentalist, a keen traveler and someone not afraid to take on a challenge.

Here is a breakdown of just some of the costs which YOU can invest in to help her achieve her dreams:

COSTS (AU$)
Car hire $3,000+
Lofoten photography tour with Nathaniel Smalley and Zsolt Kiss $2,800
Essential camera equipment (filters, camera bag, tripod head, lenses etc.) $3,500+
Extreme weather equipment (gloves, snowshoes, crampons, gortex pants, fleece, merino thermals etc.) $2,000 (Crowbar grant)
Mileage/petrol $1,000+
SPOT/Epirb $400
Iceland tour $3,800
Telescope $2,000+
Flights $3,000
Living costs (phone, internet, rent etc.) $2,500
Pozible and PayPal fees $700

Any surplus funds will be used for the Lofoten and/or Salamanca Arts Centre exhibitions, including gallery fees, printing, framing and promotion ($4000+)
Miscellaneous costs not itemized here include travel and gear insurance, travel items, marketing etc...

As expected, Arwen will also be contributing her own funds. For example, she has bought all her camera gear to date and will need to purchase a new laptop for this trip. She will have to pay for the photography tours not covered by the crowd-funding/grants or otherwise miss out. It is important that Arwen attends photography tours in addition to her residency because these groups provide her with expert mentorship to assist with skill development and, importantly, help ensure she is safe during her adventures. While overseas, Arwen will be on Leave Without Pay from her regular job and will have no income source. Daily living expenses (such as food and other consumables) during her travels will need to be paid and rent and other costs at home will need to be paid as normal.


'Ice Detail'. Bronte Lagoon, Tasmania

PLEASE NOTE
Arwen only receives what you pledge once the $10,000 target is reached. If the target is not met, she will not receive any of the pledged funds. She also qualifies for a $2,000 grant from Arts Tasmania's Crowbar scheme only if the target is reached.

Arwen has also applied for some Government funding, including an Arts Tasmania Development Grant. However, arts grants are highly competitive, the outcome of applications will not be known until late 2015 and even if granted, funding would cover only some of the project costs (such as flights and some living costs).



SPONSORSHIP
Arwen is most fortunate to have in-kind support from Graham Hammond and Hanny Allston at Hobart outdoor equipment store Find Your Feet. This generous sponsorship comes in the form of discounts on quality gear.

Any further corporate sponsorships or in-kind support from businesses is most welcome and much appreciated. Arwen offers cross-promotion and a generous supply of her images in return for sponsorship. Please contact her to discuss further.

Arwen is happy to recommend Walch Optics for photographic equipment in Hobart; Danny Bearman at Art, Picture and Mirror for framing needs, and, Hobart Imaging or Imagetec for printing.

MENTORSHIP
Through the warm spirit of creativity and shared passion, Arwen is delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside landscape photographers in the Arctic. This includes Steven Henriksen, who shares his expert local knowledge in the Norway Travel Guide and Aurora Sky Cam. Steven will assist Arwen with location information and transport, and, together they will mentor each other in the art of photography and post-production. Nathan Smalley and Zsolt Kiss will provide expert tuition and location guiding during their educational tour. If Arwen makes it to Iceland, she will also join a keen group of photographers under expert guidance.

"I am super excited about exploring Lofoten with talented and knowledgeable artists so familiar with the area" - Arwen


Rupert Point, the Tarkine, Tasmania. See Tarkine in Motion

Arwen admits there are numerous challenges involved in this project, but "that's what I love about it". Some foreseen challenges are:

- Overcoming the fear of photographing in sub-zero temperatures, particularly at night...
- Being confronted by solitude and introspection
- Managing camera gear while traveling
- Creating the images I want to create, a welcome challenge that is most enjoyable
- Managing costs and budgeting effectively
- Honing my skills in advanced photographic and post-production techniques

'Southern Stars', Tasmania, Australia