On Saturday, October 19th at 4 PM, we invite you to spend the afternoon in conversation with Australian artist Gail Hocking, who is exhibiting at this year’s Drava Art Biennale. As part of the School of Change program, we are hosting her as a prominent artist whose work explores key ecological and climate issues in her artistic practice.
Born and raised in the mountainous regions of the South Island of Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand), Gail Hocking has witnessed the impact of climate change since her early childhood. Her home was near the once-majestic Franz Josef Glacier (Ka Roimata Hine Hukatere), which has been dramatically retreating due to global warming. These experiences shaped her awareness of climate issues and became the foundation of her recent artistic practice, focusing on the relationship between humans and natural phenomena, as well as the emotional response to environmental changes.
One of her most recent works, still in progress, Through a Looking Glass Darkly, centers on themes of an uncertain future and disorientation in the face of a destabilized environment. The catalyst for this series was the dramatic natural disaster she experienced during a residency in Iceland in November 2023. The Fagradalsfjall volcano created a lava tunnel just 15 kilometers from her residence in Hafnarfjörður. The eruption triggered a series of earthquakes, with between 800 and 1,000 tremors recorded in the first 24 hours alone. The epicenter was close to her location. The intense vibrational waves that preceded the quakes provoked powerful emotional reactions of fear, panic, and disorientation, with no possibility of leaving the island or escaping the situation. The volcano first erupted in 2021, after 815 years of dormancy, and again in 2022 and 2023, driven by climate change.
Inspired by this experience, her work incorporates large-scale video projections, sound, and vibrations to create an immersive installation that gives the viewer a sense of the disorientation and discomfort she personally endured. In the talk at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Gail will share insights into her artistic process, the experiences that motivated her creations, and the broader topic of climate change and how art can raise awareness and inspire change. Visitors are also encouraged to share their own experiences and thoughts.
The conversation will be held in English. Entry is free.
Gail Hocking, born in the mountainous region of Aotearoa (New Zealand), explores the relationship between humans and nature through a multidisciplinary practice, focusing on ecological themes and emotional uncertainty. She holds a Master of Visual Arts from the University of South Australia and has exhibited globally. She is the recipient of prestigious awards such as the SALA Breaking Ground Award and has been a finalist for the Ravenswood Australian ArtPrize and the Heysen Landscape Prize. She has undertaken residencies in Iceland, Portugal, and Australia.
