SUSPENDED; TIME AND PLACE, 2018

Spangaro’s practice is centred on the exploration of "insignificant" natural environments—those overlooked or peripheral spaces that exist on the fringes of urban development. These works are deeply rooted in the artist’s personal history, specifically a childhood spent navigating the Boronia Grove Wetlands and the banks of Koonung Creek. What once served as a sanctuary for play and fraternal connection has, over time, become a site of profound ecological tension.

Returning to these landscapes as an adult, Spangaro is struck by the juxtaposition between memory and current reality. The sight of household refuse suspended from the flora—evoking a grotesque parody of festive tinsel—serves as a visual manifestation of our collective impact on the natural world. This exhibition seeks to reconcile the nostalgic beauty of these waterways with their status as some of Melbourne’s most compromised environments. By highlighting the invisible presence of pollutants like E. coli alongside the visible accumulation of waste, these works invite viewers to reconsider their relationship with the "insignificant" landscapes that sustain us, even as we inadvertently degrade them.

Location: Altman Studio and Gallery, 2/15 Advantage Rd, Highett VIC Dates: 2018