Never the same river twice

Never the same river twice (2021) continues Erin Coates’ focus on the Derbarl Yerrigan / Swan River and the ongoing impact of colonial occupation on this estuarine ecosystem. As Coates describes, 'Since settlement, there has been a two-way movement of matter – resources like the oyster reefs are extracted from the river and matter is flushed in, via the rubbish tips that used to sit along the river and from run off (from industry, residential and agriculture), resulting in heavy metals, phosphorous and nitrogen saturating the water.'

Embodying an ‘eco-horror’ aesthetic, Coates’ work also references a virus found in the river’s dolphin population that is thought to be related to water contaminants. Known as ‘Tattoo Skin Disease’ or Cetacean Poxvirus, it erupts through the dolphins’ skin, causing circular lesions.

'I learnt about this river virus just before COVID hit, and then several months later my husband was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Never the same river twice became a surprisingly personal work for me, as I wove in many small references to the body, illness and biological mutation. Making it was a slow meditation on human and environmental health, and the many small healing acts that I try to do.'—Erin Coates