BABETTE ROBERTSON interview from isolation

May 21, 2020

From her studio in Burrell Creek on the Mid North Coast, converted from a 100-year-old dairy, Robertson speaks about making new works in isolation.

Dominik Mersch – Are you working on any new works?
Babette Robertson – Yes, the main work I’m focusing on at the moment is “every fallen tree”, which involves the collection of GPS points of thousands of fallen trees. From each tree in the local area I collect clay or porcelain pressings. I’ve been experimenting with making dye/pigment from the chlorophyll in the leaves collected from the fallen trees.

DM – Your work is closely connected with the environment and natural world which you often engage with poetically. What is it like isolating in the country and having a studio in a 100 year old dairy converted art studio?
BR – It’s completely magical and I feel lucky to have this space to work from. I’ve been in the studio everyday as there’s not much else to do up here (apart from bake bread and garden!).

DM – Baking bread, I feel that’s what a lot of people are enjoying during isolation. Have you been busy in the kitchen?
BR – My guilty pleasure is watching the youtube series pasta grannies. I’m learning Italian and have convinced myself that the more episodes I watch, the faster I will learn. I love making pasta and one of my favourites is Roberto’s “hairy” Tagliatelle. It uses wild greens which I pick from my garden and the paddocks surrounding the property.

DM – That sounds wonderful. Language and food are so intertwined in culture. Especially Italian culture. I’m sure you will be speaking Italian in no time. Thank you so much for sharing with us. One last question, any podcast or music recommendations?
BR – In the studio I blast music (especially now that my studio is so remote) and do way too much dancing for my own good. Djon maya maï (feat. Victor Démé) is a tune. For podcasts, The Serpentine Gallery series “Back to earth: How do we get there” is fantastic.