Alluvial Gold

Alluvial Gold was commissioned for Tilt, an annual residency project and solo exhibition responding to the site of Goolugatup Heathcote in Perth, Western Australia. For this major new body of work, Coates delved into the world below the river surface to explore the changing ecology of the Derbarl Yerrigan / Swan River, which wraps around the site of Goolugatup Heathcote. Informed by marine biology, historical research and her experiences free-diving in the river, Coates looked at the transference of matter into and out the river. In particular, the works respond to the accumulation of heavy metals in the bones of estuarine dolphins and the removal of the oyster shell reefs, which were heavily dredged in the 20th century as a source of lime for building materials, including at Goolugatup Heathcote. Alluvial Gold provides a dark speculation on the transformation of river ecosystems while highlighting the fecundity and resilience of life forms within this urban waterway. 

Metallic Water, 2020

cast bronze, porcelain, gold leaf, gold chain
dimensions variable
bronzes made with assistance from Robert Hitchcock and Max Butcher
originally shown at Goolugatup Heathcote (2020) and then Pier 2/3 for the Biennale of Sydney (2022) and at Carriageworks Sydney for Blue World: Valerie Taylor Art Prize for Ocean Advocacy (2023)

This floating ribcage is based on the Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin. I found a dolphin carcass on a remote beach when I was a child. It was a fascinating and shocking experience. I remember its ribs poking out from its smooth grey skin. I learnt many years later that because dolphins are long living apex predators, their bones are prone to bio-accumulate heavy metals in the water. There is an invisible transformation of materials under the surface ~ Erin Coates

Filter Feeder series

Filter Feeder, 8 x 26 x 18cm
Dredged, 6 x 27 x 18xm
Substrate, 8 x 27 x 20cm
Habitat, 8 x 27 x 20cm
Relic, 4 x 26 x 21cm
All works porcelain with mother of pearl lustre glaze, 2020

We Built This City (on ground up oyster shells), 2020

oystershells, brass, lead, steel, interactive audio component
270 x 290 x 4 cm
Composer: Stuart James
Support structure fabrication: Neil Aldum
Studio assistants: Tanya Lee, Kate Driver, Jennifer Jamieson, Jessica Wyld, Annabel Dixon

Bioaccumulation, 2020

cast bronze with steel base
158 x 19 x 9cm

View other work in the Alluvial Gold via the FILM and DRAWING menus.

This project was made possible with support from the City of Melville and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

This project took place on the lands of the Beeliar people of the Noongar Nation.

Photography at Goolugatup Heathcote by Daniel Grant