River Story is a journey of reflection, looking at our draw towards water and life around it. For centuries, human beings have made their settlements near to sources of water, benefiting from the many resources that rivers, lakes and streams have to offer. We have drunk, fished and milled from the riches of fresh water. We have produced goods and harnessed its raw energy, and we have formed connections that link communities through the vast networks of waterways that wind across the land.
But our relationship with water goes deeper than that. It’s not just a resource to be harnessed, or a necessity that we rely on to survive. We are inherently drawn towards water for reasons that are not immediately apparent. We look to water as a place of refuge and of calm — away from the busyness of modern life. We are quietly inspired by its tranquillity, and motivated by its awesome roar. We spend time around water to feel relaxed, to be invigorated by the company of friends, or to be alone in quiet contemplation. Water is our friend. It is at the heart of human existence.
Through this project, I quietly observed the comings and goings of life around a river over the course of a year, ensuring that I met the changing seasons with honesty and integrity. I looked into our interaction with the natural world, and the impact that our activities might be having. People shared their experiences and sense of connection to the river, and they shared their concerns about its continued health and how we might conserve it.
This is a story about life, but also about loss. It is about the harmonious relationship that people can have with nature, but that in order for that to exist, we must reflect on our behaviours that put the natural world, and in turn, us, at risk. It is a celebration of our planet, with warning signs along the way that represent our duty of care.
