The Yoeman’s Project at the Art Gallery of New South Wales

…is a fascinating show by artists Ian Milliss and Lucas Ihlein about the innovative Australian farmer/inventor which I was so happy to stumble upon in the lower level project space at the Art Gallery of New South Wales this afternoon. (project website)

The Yeomans Project is based on the figure of Australian farmer and engineer PA Yeomans.

Although he never described himself as an artist, Yeomans consciously set out to change the cultural understanding of the Australian landscape. A notable inventor of the 1950s, 60s and 70s, he sought to increase soil fertility and water use by regenerating bushland, creatively adapting farmlands and – in perhaps his most important breakthrough – developing a new understanding of water flows and tools for soil cultivation.

For Ian Milliss and Lucas Ihlein, The Yeomans Project presents an opportunity to look at art as an entirely utilitarian enterprise – one that proposes new, creative and sustainable ways of working with the land. They have collected together writings, images, documentary films and educational videos and will host a series of conversations in the exhibition to illustrate Yeomans’ philosophy and design innovations. They have also invited other artists – Milkwood Permaculture, Taranaki Farm, Artist As Family, (f)route and Diego Bonetto – to challenge our assumptions of art by relocating us to farms, masterclasses on permaculture, and alternative market places for selling and buying food.