HOW CREEKS BIND US

Words by Camille Short Photos supplied by Christine Martine

“Three Creeks”, painted by Reservoir local and artist Christine Martin, pays homage to Reservoir’s three creeks: Merri, Darebin and Edwardes.

The creeks, as well as connecting us to place and giving us a sense of pride, have a deeper meaning. According to Christine, “More so than fences and perimeters that divide us, creeks bind us”. For Christine, this is reflected in the Reservoir community by the relationships people have with their neighbours, and even strangers they see on the street. There are lots of different people from different cultures, all bound together in a beautiful community.

The mural also heavily features fine line drawings of native birds, which is characteristic of Christine’s artistic practice.

The artwork was commissioned as part of the Reservoir Public Mural Program , which was established by Darebin Council in partnership with the Victorian Government’s Reservoir Revitalisation Program. Christitne Martin was one of five artists/artist collectives funded to create murals in Reservoir public spaces. The artworks will remain in place for three years.

Located on the public toilet block right next to Reservoir station, it rejuvenates the space and makes it more inviting for public use. At around 95 square meters, it is an impressive feature piece.

Christine, a Reservoir local of 14 years, was kind enough to answer some questions for us about her mural and connection to Reservoir. Thanks Christine!

Were there any particular species of native birds or elements of the creeks that hold special significance to you personally? If so, could you elaborate on why they are meaningful to you?

I have had a connection through experience to each bird featured in the mural, as I’m sure many people living in Darebin would too. In summer we have a tawny frogmouth that sits above the streetlight at night and calls for a mate.

Our native garden attracts lots of wattlebirds and they raise their chicks in our front yard, and I have seen a spotted pardalote picking up grains of rice from our back porch.

The mudlark holds a special place in the hearts of my family, having found an injured one earlier this year, on the Broadway. I picked her up and took her home, hoping to mend the broken leg, but realised her whole pelvis was crushed. My daughter and I buried her, there were lots of tears. I have run and walked along each of the creeks at various stages of my life, particularly Darebin creek. I’ve seen a platypus, pardalotes, kangaroos, wallabies and lots of brown snakes.

Once I was with my dog Ranger and there was a huge brown snake all the way across the narrow path. It was just waking up, basking in the sun, and was slow to move away. It was very beautiful in a scary kind of way. Natural places such as Darebin creek, bring me back to life. I feel reconnected to the place I live in.”

What message or emotions do you hope to convey to the community through your mural?

The message I would hope to convey is one of love and respect for the natural world within which we live, and of the connections to each other we have as people. I used the three creeks of Reservoir as a geographical metaphor for the connections between people, formed organically, like water flowing in a river.

Reservoir is home to many different cultures, people from a diverse range of backgrounds and beliefs. We all connect, in some way, and it’s a beautiful thing. I see people of all cultures growing food in their gardens and sharing it, my neighbour shares food with us and this sharing is represented in the motifs painted on the mural. I hope that people feel happy when they see the mural, and that it might remind them to look around at the creatures, plants and trees in their yards and streets and take care of them.

What are some memorable interactions or experiences you've had with viewers while working on your art in a public setting?

I had a lovely lady walk past most days and tell me I was doing a great job. She told really good jokes too. The postie and I would talk footy, and it was nice to have a break and not be thinking about birds and paint for a few minutes.

My favourite comment though, was an old guy walking past me who said ‘You haven’t painted the dunny seat have ya?’ There were also some adorable youngsters who would stop by with their parents and watch me paint. One little girl asked me what type of bird I was painting, and I told her it was a mudlark.

She forgot the name and came back to ask me again, which was very cute. It felt good educating little kids on the creatures in their environment and for them to see that art can be anywhere, not just in a gallery.

My husband would bring our daughter and dog down most days and sometimes he would bring sandwiches. It was pretty special to see my little one running around the toilet block loving all the colours and even having a go at painting.

Any favourite spots/ shops/cafes you'd recommend in Reservoir?

Walking along Darebin creek, especially in the wilder areas off the bike track. You can see whole packs of kangaroos sometimes. My favourite shop is the One Way Fresh supermarket on the Broadway. It's an Italian deli with the best produce. Incredible salamis and cheeses, cheap lemons and in season produce of great quality, run by a really friendly Italian family. I would also recommend D & S Fish and Chips. We get them every Friday night. Nobody cooks a chip as tenderly as these guys, just don’t skimp on the chicken salt.