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Contaminated: Site 3

Norton Fredericks
a close up image depicting a contaminated body of water - exhibition print made by artist Norton Fredericks
  • Curated by Wesley Shaw
  • Everyday, temporary exhibition
  • Level 1, First Nations Project Space
  • Free Entry
5th June - 16th August 2026

Almost a century ago chemical manufacturers created a new synthetic toxic chemical: PFAS, otherwise known as 'Forever Chemicals'. These chemicals biomagnify and bioaccumulate in the human body and in the environment. We, and future generations, all now share one thing in common. We are all contaminated.

Image of an artwork titled Molecule Plate

Contaminated: Site 3 is an exploration of materials and processes responding to sites that are highly contaminated with environmental toxins: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAFs), otherwise known as 'Forever Chemicals'. Fredericks begins work by visiting sites and collecting contaminated samples of water, soil and plants using the Australian Map of PFAS as a guide across New South Wales and Queensland.

An image of a leaf
 

This work is the intersection between science and art examining the impact of these pervasive chemicals on our waterways, land, and body systems. Contaminated: Site 3 explores the chemical reactions that are created by site-specific variables and has been shown at Outer Space and the University of Queensland.

image of a net pattern
 
A installation image of the artwork of Norton Fredericks who has used cyanotype printing to make these images
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