Dr Nien Schwarz taught sculpture at Edith Cowan University for 18 years. Geoscience and interdisciplinary interests inform the making of artworks that prompt consideration of living more sustainably. Key exhibitions: In Situ Holmes a Court Gallery (2021), Earth Matters Turner Galleries (2008), Over my shoulder PICA (2006), Beyond Familiar Territory Perth Arts Festival (2001).
A penchant for Earth sciences draws her to remote regions. Her installations and objects include earth samples and are intended to provoke consideration of human relationships to the ground, particularly mining, agriculture and urban encroachment. She has posed the same question for three decades: “Why are we not building more respectful relationships with Earth by living more sustainably?”