TRANSLATING
TREES
(INSTALLATION)

 

Commissioned for Floating Land 2025 

Date: 28 June – 27 July 2025
Location: Tewantin Park (outside Noosa Regional Gallery)
Detail/Materials: 6 Metal outdoor signs (40cm x 40cm sign on a 150cm pole)

Developed in response to Floating Land 2025: Escape Making, this site-specific installation consists of six markers displaying psychedelic graphics (designed by the artist) printed on metal signage and installed outside Noosa Regional Gallery. Each sign includes a QR code linking to sound recordings of transcripts voiced by a range of community participants.

The transcripts were developed through the artist’s process of sitting with and listening to individual trees. Psychedelic visuals emphasise alternative modes of communication, while the work invites viewers to consider trees as sentient and intelligent beings, positioning them beyond passive scenery. Framed by the theme of escape, the installation proposes that trees (beings that emerged hundreds of millions of years ago, that have adapted, survived, and collaborated, and will possibly endure far beyond the lifespan of humanity) might offer insights for surviving/escaping our own age of unraveling.

A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post in the middle. The post has a round purple, red and black psychedelic graphic and sits in a park next to a tree. The photo also shows someone (cropped) taking a photo of the QR code with their mobile phone
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post, the post has a round blue psychedelic graphic and sits in front of a tree.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post (close up). The post has a round purple, yellow and black psychedelic graphic and sits in a park amongst trees.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post in the middle. The post has a round purple, yellow and black psychedelic graphic and sits in a park amongst trees.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post in the middle. The post has a round purple, yellow and black psychedelic graphic and sits in a park in front of trees on the river.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post in the middle. The post has a round purple, red and black psychedelic graphic and sits in a park next to a tree.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post in the middle. The post has a round purple, yellow and black psychedelic graphic and sits in a park in front of trees on the river.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post in the middle. The post has a round purple, red and black psychedelic graphic and sits in a park next to a tree.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post. The post has a round design with a pink and blue psychedelic graphic and sits in a park next to a tree in front of Noosa Regional Gallery
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post. The post has a round design with a blue and red psychedelic graphic and sits in a park in front of Noosa river.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post (close up). The post has a round purple, yellow and black psychedelic graphic and sits in a park amongst trees.
A photo taken outside at Noosa, that shows an art sign post, the post has a round blue psychedelic graphic and sits in front of a cropped tree. Glimpses of a river behind can be seen through the tree.