Our Kinship with Nature
Reflections from the Hopeful Disruptions Artist Residency on the Marrumbidya, (Murrumbidgee River)
A local Tawny Frogmouth family has been visiting again, perched in the River Oak overlooking the Clarence River. Each summer, they bring their young and stay until the fledglings are ready to fly off and find their own patch. The parents returned this week, and seeing them makes my heart sing. Such wise old birds, sitting in a wise old tree, perfectly camouflaged.
This glimpse into the quiet kinship of the landscape reminded me of an artist residency last September, when our artist group Hopeful Disruptions worked and lived on two regenerative cattle properties at Mundarlo, near Wagga Wagga in southern NSW. The properties, situated along the Murrumbidgee River, offered an extraordinary setting for exploration, learning, and creative practice. We camped beside the river, engaging in conversations, observations, and hands-on experiences that deepened our understanding of regenerative farming and the balance between ecological restoration and productive agriculture.
Learning from Regenerative Farmers
The regenerative farmers we met are dedicated to restoring soil health and nurturing resilient ecosystems. We saw how they rotate cattle through different paddocks to reduce the impact of grazing and promote healthy grass growth, both exotic and native species. In one small patch of soil, we counted fifteen different grasses — a living example of biodiversity. These grasses improve soil structure, allow air and water to flow, prevent erosion, and enrich the land through their exchange with microbes and fungi. One of the most memorable moments was watching the cattle respond to Nick, the farmer, as he arrived on his motorbike. They ran towards him, knowing that fresh grass awaited beyond the gate. Their movement between paddocks was seamless and natural.
Creating Together at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
During the final two weeks, we worked in the E3 Studio at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. This time together allowed for collaboration, experimentation, and shared inspiration.Standing before an expansive white wall, I was drawn to paint large-scale, capturing the enduring life force I found in the roots of a five-hundred-year-old Red River Gum.
Connecting with Community
One of the most enriching parts of the residency was engaging with the local community. Sharing our work and experiences helped raise awareness of regenerative farming and ecological art. Many visitors reflected that the diversity of our artistic practices mirrored the complexity of biodiversity, soil health, and river ecosystems. The open studio setting also strengthened our connection as artists, deepening our understanding of both the land and each other’s creative approaches.
Gratitude and Reflection
The Earth Canvas mission is “to share the creativity of the farmer and their working palette in the landscape with the artist’s impression of that landscape.”My heartfelt thanks go to Earth Canvas for entrusting Hopeful Disruptions with this opportunity, to the generous regenerative farmers who hosted us along the Murrumbidgee River, and to Wagga Wagga Art Gallery for providing a space where art and farming could truly intertwine.
Ultimately, this experience reminded me that as humans, we must renew our relationship with the natural world. Regenerative farming seeks to nurture not just the soil, but our food, communities, and landscapes. It fosters biodiversity, supports a healthier planet, and, in turn, sustains us all.
Image courtesy of Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.
