The astrolabe is an ancient astronomical device with a wide variety of functions, ranging from timekeeping and navigation to religious and spiritual uses. A handheld model of the universe, it was commonly used in classical antiquity, the Islamic Golden Age, the European Middle Ages and the early modern period. The mariner’s astrolabe was also developed in the thirteenth century as an effective navigation tool on rough seas.

Among its many functions, the inner piece of the astrolabe (the rete) maps key elements of the celestial sphere and allows users to tell the time based on the altitude of a given star.

In Astrolabe, this celestial map is replaced with a map of objects collected in four regional NSW towns (Cobar, Broken Hill, Silverton and Sofala) on a road trip during the southern autumn equinox 2022. These objects are displayed in a set of shelves, with the astrolabe hanging from a stand in front of them.

Users of the astrolabe are able to tell the time that each object was collected, based on the altitude of its display. The audience is invited to interact with the artwork, using the information in the sketchbook as a guide for operating the astrolabe.