On the nature of the Familiar explores mainstream Australian, urban society’s meaningful and spiritual connection to nature. The work presents constructed images of organic and inorganic objects discarded from inner-city homes, speaking to the way in which nature is aestheticised, objectified, disconnected and removed from suburban social and cultural life. As urban development and environmental impact continues, the work is an invitation to reflect upon a dislocated, mediated and constructed engagement with nature, and contemplate the consequent meaningful place that nature holds within our cultural lives into the future.
Dominique Chen is a photographic artist and social documentist, currently based in Brisbane, Australia. Drawing upon her mixed Aboriginal and European heritage, Dominique's work is reflective of contemporary Australian social and cultural concepts of the environment, connection and identity. She is currently completing postgraduate study at Griffith University (Queensland College of Art) where she also tutors within the GUMURRII Indigenous Student Support Unit.
