The novelty of home
A brief and visual update on my first return to Australia in 5 years. While the changes have been disruptive, being able to re/connect with place, family, friends and nature here is providing a path to open new creative paths.
The sunsets glow in South East Queensland
What’s the word for when everything has changed into something that’s disjointedly familiar?
5 years ago, I wrote about the experience of my ‘new, strange’ life in the USA becoming familiar¹.
Right-hand drive in Australia
Today, I’m experiencing a similar sensation but in reverse, back in Australia for the first time since.
I drive on the left side of the road. My surroundings are like a dream, having been untouchable memories for so long.
Suddenly, I’m not in California; I’m in Logan, where I left off almost 10 years ago when I moved away.
I’m slowing to the speed of Queensland. Ravens and crows wail their watchful welcome. Red-necked wallabies bounce and bear-crawl across my path. Fig trees and gum trees gather in an embrace I’ve longed for, for years.
Ravens and crows decorate the power lines where they call out to all listening
Wallabies are a regular sight in Shailer Park and Cornubia
Suddenly, I am here.
‘Suddenly’ was a long time coming. Scars from when Australia turned its back; a blinkered life over declamatory mateship. My roots in California deepened.
What’s the word for when your heart is in two places?
Maybe that word is art. Or requires art. Yes, art is an answer.
Tangled Strangler Figs, Alexandra Palms, gum trees - home
The tawny frogmouth owl couple that was living in mum’s backyard
Here I am, back on Yugembeh country, halfway between the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Back with family, connecting with old and new friends. A disjointed joy of being home, when home is also elsewhere. Relief to have my cats with me, after the strain of ‘(how) can we do this?’ and then DAFF’s hasty rule changes.
I’m focusing on (re)connecting. Relationality is important to me and my creative practice. How do I relate to this place? To the people here? To myself here? We have all grown since I left.
A great joy of being back is seeing my sister Lecia play live again (see more here)
Our cats Beauxchat and Coco Chanel awaiting their LA-Melbourne flight
There are pragmatics to navigate, too, when returning as a citizen residing overseas. Critical, boring pragmatics. Drivers license, bank accounts, navigating government systems, local insurance, shipping items across oceans. Yadadh yadah yadah.
I’ll return to California soon enough. For now, I am here and it feels good to be back. I’m excited to share what creatively emerges from this time here. And if you’re local, I hope to see you too.
Footnotes
¹ ‘The familiar strange’ is a term commonly used to describe anthropology’s origins, first by Myers in 2011. However, I believe the original source of this term was 18th century poet Novalis who wrote that art making is about: “Making the strange familiar and the familiar strange.”
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