Our Contributors

EARTHED NOT WIRED | Biophilic Design Day (Geelong Design Week)
Saturday 21 March, 2020

The School of Lost Arts is excited to bring together a diverse and experienced selection of contributors to bring you our day of direct sensory experience, design experimentation, indoor and outdoor installations, talks and panel discussions

Dr Mary-Jane Walker | The School of Lost Arts

Mary-Jane Walker is both a scientist and an artist. The intersection of these two spheres is the space in which she works through her arts practice, writing and facilitation. She has a doctorate in Molecular Genetics from the University of Edinburgh and graduated in art from RMIT University. Her interests are in using the creative arts to communicate about complex ideas including creative thinking, action on climate change, biophilia and connecting science and the arts.

Cameron Bishop and Simon Reis | Artists

Bishop and Reis have worked in collaboration for almost 20 years as artists and in curatorial and production roles. Cameron Bishop (PhD) lectures at Deakin University in Art and Performance and has written extensively on art in the public sphere; since 2013 he has curated and produced a number of large scale public art projects including Venetian Blind (with David Cross and in conjunction with the Venice Biennale) and the Treatment Public Art Project with City of Wyndham. Simon Reis is an installation artist and engineer. He has worked in production roles on a variety of public art projects around Melbourne, and as an artist has been the recipient of numerous commissions and awards. Shortlisted – with Bishop (and the collaborative group, Bozo Ink) – three times for the McClelland Gallery Outdoor Sculpture Award Bishop & Reis’ ongoing interest in new and old technologies 2019 saw them awarded a City of Melbourne Arts grant to make and exhibit the work, Wonder Room for One.

Justin Calverley | Urban Farmer

Justin Calverley is a horticulturalist and permaculturist with over 30 years experience and is a highly sort after consultant through his business, Sensory Gardens. He has extensive knowledge and experience in permaculture, garden design, organic gardening and native bushfood species. He specialises in edible gardens and is an expert in fruit tree cultivation and pruning.

For over 15 years, Justin has taught workshops in all things relating to sustainable gardening and urban food production. Justin is the author of "The Urban Farmer" and continues to present the Complete Urban Farmer course around Victoria. Justin was a founding member of 3RRR’s ‘Dirty Deeds” radio program and is still presenting on 3RRR and ABC radio.

Dave Cameron | Principal Landscape Architect, Tract Consultants

Since establishing Tract’s landscape capabilities in Geelong and regional Victoria over six years ago, Dave has extended Tract’s already established legacy of creating great places in and around Victoria’s second city.

Dave brings significant industry experience and expertise having worked in both Sydney and Melbourne delivering on the entire design process from concept inception through to project delivery and contract administration across a wide variety of projects including complex master-planned residential communities in Melbourne’s growth corridor, open space, heritage, environmental, civic, retail, industrial and institutional.

Nicola Cerini | Artist and Designer

Nicola Cerini’s early childhood immersed in nature is one of the key inspirations for her biophilic design practice. Capturing the beauty of the natural world as an innovator of textiles and product design led Nicola to establish a design studio soon after graduation from RMIT in 1991. Her distinctive brand evolved, producing original textile designs for a range of handbags, clothing, accessories and homewares.

Nicola’s work focusses on creating nature-inspired design for products, interiors, urban and public spaces while connecting people with nature. She collaborates with other designers and companies applying her imagery to a broad range of products, from bags to floor rugs to building facades.

By utilising natural elements, patterns and materials, Nicola’s work creates a distinct sense of place and connectedness. Her philosophy emphasises beauty, practicality, high-quality, natural and durable materials, locally made where possible with an ethical and environmental conscience.

Lee Darroch | Artist

Lee Darroch is a Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Boon Wurrung woman, who has lived on Raymond Island in the Gippsland Lakes with her partner and two children for the past 31 years. She is an artist, designer and community cultural worker. Her artwork is inspired by the need to continue cultural, spiritual and artistic practices. Lee has run her own business Gurranyin Arts for over 24 years. She feels guided in her artwork by the Old People who have gone before us and by her Elders today. Lee hopes to leave behind a rich legacy for her children and children’s children to follow so that the Dreaming will continue in an unbroken line.

Dr Rea Dennis | Deakin University

Rea is a performer and theatre director with a research focus on the meaning, perception and embodiment. A lecturer in Art and Performance at Deakin University, she has published in internationally prominent journals Theatre Dance and Performer Training, Studies in Theatre and Performance and RiDE: Research in Applied Theatre. Her performance and multimedia works have shown in Brazil, UK, Germany, Japan, USA and New Zealand.

Justin Ray | Senior Principal Urban Design, Tract Consultants

Justin is an urban design expert and project director who is known for his strategic insight, energy and imagination. He has a deep understanding of development process’s, innovative implementation strategies and the business case for human centred design thinking.

He works with multi-disciplined teams within complex stakeholder communities to create new places and precincts that inspire and connect people. His passion is helping our cities transform into thriving, healthy, loveable places.

He has worked for decades on projects that break new ground ranging from design of new towns to the renewal of urban precincts to the creation of major public spaces. Justin understands that the best solutions emerge from a highly collaborative, ‘joined up’ design process and encourages teams to be visionary and bold. He draws on skills in master planning, place making, communication and collaborative design to unlock the value and full potential of projects. Justin is committed to rethinking cities from a global ecological health perspective.

Dr Phillip Roös | Director Live Smart Research Lab, Deakin University

Dr Phillip Roös is the Director of the Live+Smart Research Laboratory, at the School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University. His teaching and research interests are centred on the human–nature relationship and the identification of optimised design processes based on a regenerative-adaptive pattern language theory. This approach incorporates the principles of biophilia and regenerative design as well as an adaptive pattern language that re-establishes our wholeness with nature, and considers the vulnerabilities of a changing landscape.

Dr Arlene Walker | Associate Head of the School of Psychology, Deakin University

Arlene is a registered psychologist with a Masters degree and a PhD in Organisational Psychology. She is an Associate Head of School (Regional and Rural Development) in the School of Psychology at Deakin University and a Senior Lecturer in organisational psychology. Arlene is a previous co-editor of the Australasian Journal of Organisational Psychology. Arlene’s research interests include: the psychological contract; occupational health and safety; graduate work readiness; the impact of violence on the workplace; and employee health and well- being.

Scott West | Design Director, Frasers Property group

With a background as an architect Scott has worked in property development for over 20 years in various roles and across varying sectors of built form. He is currently the Design Director for the retail Business Unit at Frasers property Australia and is responsible for the design, sustainability, cost planning and tenancy delivery functions of the business. Scott is a member of the LFIA’s Biophilic Design Initiative and a promoter of this design approach and the resultant health and wellbeing benefits to building occupants and users alike.