Where

the

Light

Rests

Presented as a part of the Fremantle Biennale 2025 'Sanctuary' Program

Light, sound and sculpture converge to create a contemplative environment where attention can focus, perception deepens and unseen forces become vividly present.

Read below to learn about the process behind the work.

Consider leaving a comment at the bottom of the page about your experience.

The central bowl's internal shape is derived from light refractions captured at Manjaree (Bathers Beach).

A single water-caustic pattern I captured was translated into 3D geometry, refined in VR sculpting software and produced as a mould via 3D printing.

The final piece is formed from Raku clay and fired using the traditional Raku method, incorporating seaweed collected from Manjaree.

During firing, the red-hot glazed vessel is removed directly from the kiln and placed into combustible materials, in this case seaweed, then sealed to create a smoke-filled reduction chamber. Salt, heat, smoke and reduction generate the unpredictable surface colours and markings across the bowl.

The soundscape is built entirely from field recordings at Manjaree. A hydrophone buried beneath waves and sand captured the slow turbulence and micro-textures of the shoreline.

These recordings were transformed in Ableton Live using Wavetable synthesis, granular processing, effects processing, convolution reverb and pitch manipulation. The ebb and flow of the ocean tide was used to modulate the sound, allowing the captured environment to influence sonic movement.

Using a quadraphonic system, the sound circulates throughout the room, shifting between speakers with both subtle and erratic movement. Deep bass that resonates through the body is a prominent feature. A vibrating speaker beneath the sculpture modulates how the sound interacts with the light, causing ripples in the water which alters the reflections.

Sections of the soundscape incorporate binaural tones to help shift the brain state into the present moment.

The installation space is shaped through spatial sound, haze and precisely controlled light.

Haze fills the air to reveal the full trajectory of the light. As the light encounters the water, it fractures into countless beams, creating a constantly shifting array of lines and particles. The lenses within the light system adjust over time, causing the focal point to drift, expand and contract. A sharp eye can see this point in the haze.

Water inside the bowl is salt water borrowed from Manjaree. Each morning of the installation the water is returned and replenished. Variations in the amount of water, seaweed and sand will shape subtle differences in the light refractions.

Scent forms the final layer of the environment. Essential oils from native bush flora help ground visitors into an experience that exists outside of the everyday world.

What thoughts emerged while in the space? What are you feeling right now?

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