"Alaga" means "to care" or "take care" in the artist's matriarchal language, Tagalog, and it is very fitting as most communities in the world, especially Indigenous communities, see Mother Nature as a living, breathing presence we need to take care of.

You are invited to slow down and take some time for yourself and visit this public art installation located in Kaurna Country, Glenelg, City of Holdfast Bay. To those who might not be able to physically be at the unique venue space, the work is also available to view online.

Everyone seems to be rushing to go somewhere. Why don’t we pause, and embrace gentle, mindful moments.

With “Alaga”, Alyssa welcomes you to a self-guided experience with a moving art work that reimagines what our relationship with nature could be like. The artist’s vision for the art work is to reflect on how we perceive our physical, natural world and how we can do better and appreciate Her through the actions that we take.

You can stay to watch the whole work, meditate and sit down amongst the greenery, and if you're feeling extra inspired to bring a bit of nature into your own home, the team can help with that.

Best of all, it is free and family friendly!

Bring your friends, family, or find a restful moment for yourself taking in the work.

The artist hopes that "you can come away from viewing this with a greater intention to tend to yourself, others, and to take care of nature, what ultimately takes care of you."

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This FREE Event is proudly presented by Alyssa Powell-Ascura and supported by the host venue Mitre 10 Glenelg and Horticulturist Angus Stewart-Jones as part of SALA Festival 2023.

Poster and accompanying audio made by South Australian graphic designer and musician, Louis Bullock.

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Accessibility Information.
Disability access details: Wheelchair and Mobility Aids accessible venue. Please let the Mitre 10 staff know if you need help with getting in/out.
Audio visual moving content.
Primarily moving visual content with subtitles (English) - accessible for hard of hearing.
Language is no barrier and everyone from all backgrounds is invited to enjoy this work.
This work will be accompanied by a written artist statement that can be accessed via a QR code or physically read at the venue. This can be provided in large print format digitally via email if requested by contacting the host.

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About the Artist:
A self titled “slashie”, Alyssa Powell-Ascura is an emerging multi-hyphenated creative. Proud to have grown up in Bundjalung country in a Filipino-Italian-Australian household, she has a background that has given her an interesting, layered perspective on the world. Alyssa works across a variety of mediums including: writing, visual art, immersive installation, mixed digital media, and moving image.

Alyssa’s grandmother was an Igorot woman and this motivates Alyssa to pursue a deeper understanding and connection to Indigenous Philippines and precolonial Indigenous Australia. Her personal belief in the interconnected relationship of humans to nature drive her to pursue advocating better care of ourselves and our Earth. As much as possible, her physical works are made from repurposed materials or showcased digitally.

Recently, she has been published in Entree.Pinays' book anthology, "The Calamansi Story: Filipino Migrants in Australia" ISBN: 978-0-6457575-0-7 (Print).

Her creative work has been featured in a variety of local and international publications such as: Local Brown Baby (US), Kindling and Sage magazine (AU) and The Philippine Times (AU).

If she’s not talking to the local Aunties and writing about food and culture, she can be found painting watercolour by the beach and patting puppies who stop by to say hello.