“Cyclone Food”
Yasbelle Kerkow
10 Apr → 2 May 2021

Yasbelle Kerkow, ‘Cyclone Food’, 2018, cotton cord and shells over Pacific Corned Beef cans. Image courtesy of artist.

Cyclone Food is a comment on food security as a consequence of climate-change related extreme weather occurrences. My mother colloquially calls tinned food Cyclone Food, as these non-perishables are eaten during and immediately post cyclones. Crop destruction as a consequence of extreme weather activity subsequently leads to increased food prices making these cheaper and unhealthier options more economical staples.

FMF Breakfast Crackers and Pacific Corned Beef are easily recognisable foods in the Islands. Leftover corned beef tins are turned into building blocks for children’s toys, FMF Breakfast Crackers tins are turned into drum kits. Fijian in-jokes, if you know, you know.

This project is supported by the City of Yarra.

Yasbelle Kerkow is an Australian-born, Fijian (vasu Batiki, Lomaiviti) artist. Her work focuses on promoting Pacific communities and their stories in Australia. She is a community arts facilitator and leader of the Kulin Nations (Melbourne) based art collective New Wayfinders.