Byron Shire Council has selected local Indigenous artist Karla Dickens for its $5,000 Climate Conversations commission. Her project, Rise and Fall, will explore climate change through art and community collaboration.

Climate Conversations is a creative initiative. It supports Northern Rivers artists in working with communities to address climate challenges. The program encourages innovative ways to adapt, reorganiee, and evolve. The theme for this year’s iteration is Rising.

Karla Dickens is a Wiradjuri woman. She has lived on Bundjalung Country for many years. Her work reflects a First Nations perspective on climate change. It also draws from her personal experiences. Through large photographs, sculptures, and installations, she highlights the fight for survival in a fragile world. Her art emphasises the need for shared responsibility and urgent action.

The project will include events, talks, and workshops. These activities aim to spark deeper conversations about climate change. They will also create immersive experiences for the community. The goal is to raise awareness and inspire action.

Rise and Fall was originally commissioned by Waverley Council. It was curated by Daniel Mudie Cunningham and presented at Bondi Pavilion. The exhibition will be reimagined for Climate Conversations 2025. It will be shown at Lone Goat Gallery in July 2025. Karla Dickens is represented by STATION Gallery.