Throughout history, humans have made pilgrimages to temples - they’ve stood under ceilings and before altars, revelling in the tranquillity of standing still, swapping the speed of earthly existence for a connection to something larger than themselves.

According to pantheistic traditions nature itself is sacred, and regardless of our personal values, this philosophy believes we can find our place in the cosmos by seeking solace in the natural world itself.

Temple offers nature as this spiritual refuge, a sacred and awe-inspiring space where we can connect to the divine with a profound sense of wonder and reverence. By venerating the natural world we acknowledge its immense power, beauty, and the life-sustaining forces it provides.

Enter a space that stirs the human spirit, a place to contemplate our link to a universe that all living beings are a part of, and that may inspire a deeper sense of stewardship towards our shared home.

Artists

Australian artists Leila Jeffreys (b.1972) and Melvin J. Montalban (b. 1980) first collaborated in response to the 2019 black summer bushfires, coming together to grieve the immense loss of life and habitat. In the spirit of rebirth and renewal they’ve since collaborated on several video art installations, their work typified by monumental sculptural elements framing a meditative multi-channel film, all featuring Australian birdlife. The birds are both medium and message, bringing into focus the fleeting and precious connections that bind us to the natural world.

Temple was made in collaboration with cinematographer Chris Bryan, composer Jackson Milas, bird trainer Ravi Wassan and Feathered Friends BirdSanctuary. Originally commissioned for Vivid, Sydney.