Hills Hoist

Hills Hoist is a deeply personal photographic project exploring love—for family, the land and a disappearing way of life. Inspired by an old clothesline I first encountered in a suburban backyard after migrating to Australia in 2009. Rusty, noisy and rotating in the wind, this oddly domestic device evoked memories of my rural childhood in Poland and symbolised the emotional tension between past and present, and the fleeting magic of memories on my family’s dairy farm.

Through subdued colours and alternative photographic processes—displayed on paper and handmade gelatine prints on glass—I chronicle daily life and the shifting memory landscapes that shaped my early years. I portray my close knit family, my young nieces and nephews, continuing to farm under increasing economic and political pressure. Placed centrally within the gallery space, an original Hills Hoist displays a contrasting set of images: a mix of unique archival and contemporary photographs pegged to the clothesline. Building on my past work, this project weaves personal and collective narratives. The Hills Hoist is more than a documentary; it is a meditation on love, resilience and belonging, offering a poignant reflection on the sacrifices we make to preserve ourselves and tradition in an ever-changing world.

Please note, the upcoming exhibition at Melbourne City Library Gallery on Flinders Lane will open between 12 Nov – 7 Dec 2025, and is supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grant 2024.

work-in-progress