University of Technology Graduate, Nathan Galluzzo, has been announced as the winner of the 2022 Hassell Travelling Scholarship – Robin Edmond Award.
Nathan was among 21 students nominated by eight participating Australian universities for the scholarship this year. This year the quality of student works was outstanding, with a diverse range of projects which covered a broad spectrum of topics, issues, and themes currently challenging and confronting the profession.
Nathan’s winning proposal, titled Drawing Landscape Narrative, was a response to the 2019 flooding that occurred in the sacred place of the Arakwal people of the Bunjalung nation, Byron Bay. Local Council was pressured by residents, whose backyards were flooding, to artificially open the mouth of Tallow Creek. As a result, thousands of living organisms including mullet, bream, whiting, flathead and eels perished.
The following year, Nathan explored the interface between Indigenous knowledge, local stories and climate impacts through a unique communication process of film and collaborative drawing that was place-specific. He developed a cyclical and iterative process that provided a deeper understanding of relationality through learning about the layering of knowledge, experiences, and discussions.
Nathan was able to uniquely communicate how landscape architects use drawing as a vehicle to reveal the complex relationships that exist between stakeholders and the land to foster a shared regard for future adaptive strategies.
Byron Shire Council’s Coast, Biodiversity and Sustainability Coordinator Chloe Dowsett said “Nathan approached Council to learn more about Tallow Creek as part of his masters, but we have ended up learning so much from him through his deep examination of this place and its history and connection to country. Nathan’s work has exposed a deeper level of understanding of Tallow Creek providing insights into ecosystem dynamics activated by his drawing process and research methods.”
Nathan said “Over many months, I acted as a visual translator and created a reflective and meditative practice, where aspects of time are transcended through drawings that connect stories with moments in the environment as well as communicate unconscious and intangible values, personal relationships with place, oral narratives, spiritual beliefs and past research.
“The scholarship win is a great opportunity to continue my passion and to extend the masters out and challenge how we could better integrate the teachings from Indigenous culture in policy and other modes that strengthen a considered and holistic view about our landscapes and our connection to landscape,” said Nathan.
Hassell Principal Sharon Wright said “During the judging process for this year’s awards, we were impressed by the often deeply personal connection to the projects, sites and issues and the passionate commitment demonstrated to exploring complex challenges and finding innovative design propositions.
“Nathan’s winning submission was no exception. We were impressed with his highly original process that was shaped and guided by his exquisite drawing style. The project’s scope and timeframe were ambitious, and its process and outcomes are a powerful example of what can be achieved by slowing a project down, by listening and by being hyper site-specific,” said Sharon.
Now in its 32nd year, the Hassell Travelling Scholarship – Robin Edmond Award recognises graduating landscape architecture students who show outstanding potential for future contribution to the profession. The award provides the winner with the opportunity to expand their education through travel to a destination undergoing significant development or renewal. The award also recognises the excellence of the universities training the next generation of leading landscape architects.
Visit Hassell’s website to learn more.
