Symbiosis

Symbiosis encompasses Marisa Ballinger’s creative journey of deep introspection and self-discovery, investigating identity through personal ancestral reconnection and cultural understanding. Ballinger explores the intersection of two opposing worlds rendered as one, drawing conceptual and material strength from the dynamic interplay between research, process, and artistic expression.

At its core, Symbiosis explores the reciprocal relationships not only between materials and disciplines, but also between the artist’s internal dialogue and the physical act of making. It is in this liminal space that the narrative of identity takes form. The title of the exhibition – Symbiosis – signals both subject and method: a lens through which thought and action, intuition and structure, self and environment are all examined, evolving through and because of one another. Ancient yet contemporary, these works resonate with the artist’s ongoing interest in how identity is shaped by interactions between memory, experience, culture and environment.

Grounded in the concept that creativity is inherently relational, each artwork emerges from a dialogue between intellectual inquiry and tactile engagement, connecting what is already known with what is yet to be discovered. The physical processes of weaving, sculpting, painting, and re-purposing found materials introduce conceptual changes that reshape the artist’s understanding of selfhood. This exchange reflects a natural symbiosis and reciprocity fostering growth and evolution. Investigating a process where materials teach as much as they respond, limitations and possibilities facilitate a practice where rhythm, tension, intuition, and fluidity converge, representing the transition from introspection to outward expression.

The exhibition’s centrepiece is a momentous fibre-based weaving that embodies this reciprocal exchange. Serving as both a physical and symbolic gesture, the work negotiates between structure and fluidity, heightening awareness of rhythm, repetition, and tension while simultaneously conveying the experience of conceptual interpretation. More than just occupying the gallery’s centre, this piece gathers threads of identity, place, memory, and material presence into a unified yet almost illusory form. The work invites viewers to engage with the historical and cultural significance of First Nations People’s stories embedded within Australia’s vast ancient landscapes. It is central to a body of work which embodies Ballinger’s personal and creative transformation, in an ongoing process of understanding her own connection and belonging.

Surrounding the central piece, the exhibition unfolds as a diverse collection of multidisciplinary works made from fibre, clay, acrylic, and repurposed materials. These artworks convey complex themes of identity, place, and relationship, embedded with stories of discovery, reflection and integration. The use of an array of media not only highlights the tactile and dynamic nature of the work, but it also reflects Ballinger’s multifaceted personal and creative journey to date.  Arranged to highlight their interconnectedness in practice and context, the clay and fibre works explore embodied memory, while acrylic paintings and repurposed materials investigate familial and cultural connections through texture, colour, gesture, and form. As viewers move through these environments, they encounter artworks that not only stand alone, but also resonate collectively, reinforcing the idea of identity emerging through reciprocity and relationships within Ballinger’s process-led work.

Symbiosis shows an evolving practice shaped by exchanges between body, material, intuition, and knowledge. In highlighting the relationship between mediums, concepts, environments, and personal histories, the exhibition invites viewers to engage in a shared process of reflection. This collection of work embodies the essence of Ballinger’s practice with an evolving narrative that intertwines personal experience and cultural histories with broader themes of existence. It speaks to belonging, becoming, and the shifting balance between self and world, revealing the transformative, symbiotic nature of art and life.