The Territories

A Cabinet of
Antipodean Curiosities

2015 — 2018



The Territories logo


Photo: Ona Janzen

After completing a series of projects that involved research into Australian history, Heath discovered that almost every aspect of the country’s culture and identity are connected to its unique landscape. The Territories was created as a small publishing lab in response to this finding, in order to continue to discover great untold stories and transform them into new products. Unbound by any commercial restraints, The Territories is free to experiment with a wide variety of new and old publishing methods and platforms, including risograph, newsprint, and blogs. The success of the project has lead to the creation of a passionate audience, sell out products, and recognition from institutions such as the Australian Museum and the National Library of Australia.


The Territories Masthead

The first incarnation of the The Territories was a website featuring news items, essays, photo galleries, and interviews. The focus was primarily on examining the intersection between art, history, and the environment. Heath interviewed painter Fred Fowler about his interest in invasive species and aboriginal rock art, as well as photographer Kurt Sorensen about his interest in mysterious 19th century tales of settlers getting lost in the bush. Additionally, essays from Joni Taylor on cattle stock routes and Jeremy Saunders on the role of landscape in Australian film were commissioned.


Interview with painter Fred Fowler


Interview with photographer Kurt Sorensen


Feature gallery of artist Marian Drew


Feature gallery of artist Peter Solness


Essay by Jeremy Saunders


Essay by Joni Taylor

A range of special features were also created for the website. One of these was called Original Landscape Soundtracks, in which a selection of musicians were invited to share the albums that evoke their sense of the Australian landscape. These musicians included Lawrence English, Gail Priest, Sophie Hutchings, Cameron Webb, and Joe McKee.


Original Landscape Soundtracks (OLS) Logo


OLS contributor Gail Priest


OLS contributor Lawrence English


OLS contributor Sophie Hutchings


Sample of social media feedback on The Territories website

The first of the physical publishing projects by The Territories was On Land — a collection of five zines focused on different DIY utopias, such as Nimbin, a once dying dairy town that was transformed by a hippie festival in the 1970s and is still thriving today. Other editions in this series include a look at the introduction of Futuro houses into the Australian countryside, and the story of a Depression-era shantytown that still sits on a secluded cliff face near Sydney harbour.


On Land logo


Archival imagery collected for On Land


Archival imagery collected for On Land


Archival imagery collected for On Land

Photo: Ona Janzen


On Land — Series One


On Land “At the Dawn of Nimbin’s New Age” Cover


On Land “At the Dawn of Nimbin’s New Age” Spread


On Land “At the Dawn of Nimbin’s New Age” Essay


On Land “At the Dawn of Nimbin’s New Age” Spread


On Land “At the Dawn of Nimbin’s New Age” Spread



Social media GIF screens for “This is UFO Country”



On Land images shared by customers on Instagram


On Land Posters

Now in development is a hybrid recipe book, personal journal, and photo essay by chef, photographer, and forager Hannah Lawless on the New Zealand coast. Titled Elements, the publication will be divided into four sections: Rock, Sea, Sand, and Flora. It is both a survey of one of the most unique aspects of the New Zealand landscape and a collection of memories about growing up with all this remarkable food at your fingertips.


Elements branding


Icons for Elements


Elements Concept Art  ● Photo: Hannah Lawless


Elements Concept Art

Elements Concept Art


Elements Concept Art ● Photo: Hannah Lawless


Elements Concept Art


Elements Concept Art

The Territories is proudly archived at the National Library of Australia in Canberra, through their invitation only digital service Pandora — a recognition of the projects national cultural significance.


Canberra circa 1960s


theterritories.com.au





Made on Awabakal & Worimi Lands