Wellington Artist Selected To Exhibit At SACO Biennial In Chile In July

Wellington artist Debbie Fish will be traveling to Chile in July to exhibit a new artwork ‘Glass Sponge’ on the historic pier in Antofagasta in the north of Chile, as part of the SACO Biennial.

Debbie was selected alongside 5 other artists from Brazil, Chile, Iceland, Mongolia and Russia to exhibit in Chile’s leading contemporary art biennial on the theme of Dark Ecosystems. The new artwork celebrates the new species of sea sponge found off the coast of Chile in 2024, and highlights the oldest living creatures, created larger than life.

The artwork is made out of found and recycled shade cloth, contemplating land impacts on ocean life. The fabric is textured with circular holes, cut by hand, as if creating an industrial lace, giving the appearance of fragility, but maintaining strength in their adaptability.

After the exhibition has opened, the 6 artists will participate in an immersion trip in the Atacama Desert, to visit different natural and cultural sites, as part of the Biennial.

While SACO is covering the costs of her flights and accommodation, Debbie is running an art fundraiser to support the creation and exhibition of this new art installation. Included for sale is a selection of limited edition prints, a few mixed media artworks and one large bamboo eagle ray.

Debbie has previously exhibited in festivals including Sculpture on the Gulf (Waiheke Island), Sculpture in the Gardens (Auckland) and her work Whai Repo was exhibited in the Whairepo Lagoon in Wellington in 2023.

SACO Biennial was started as an independent initiative under the direction of Dagmara Wyskiel and produced by Christian Núñez with the goal of emphasising the connection between art and science, and bringing artistic creation and reflection to the world's driest desert.

DETAILS:

SACO Biennial runs 17 July to 14 September 2025 in Antofagasta, Chile.

Visit: www.goldfishcreative.co.nz/chile for more information on the art fundraiser.

Visit https://bienalsaco.com for more information on the SACO Biennial.

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