Since 2009 when they built the studio on their property, artists and farmers Don Asker and Jane Mortiss welcomed many others to immerse themselves in nature and make use of the beautifully positioned and peaceful space.

"It was a good hub, a place where people would come from nearby, interstate and overseas to undertake field work and arts-based practice," Don said.

"We had close connections with many students and other researchers and were able to mentor them."

"Students could try out installation works, move their bodies, talk through ideas with us of an evening," Jane said.

At the heart of their intent was understanding and fostering awareness of their relationships with others and the country in which they are located. This has shaped their own work.

Previously, both Don and Jane were lecturers at the Victorian College of the Arts, balancing that with national and international performances and artistic residencies. They began to spend more time in Kiah from 1986 onwards.

The two artists have continued to create without their studio since the fires, and in response to its loss, writing, drawing, filming, photographing and improvising via dance.

The fire tore through the entire 80 hectares on which the couple live, decimating most of the bush, fencing, the stockyards and the machinery shed as well as the studio space, but miraculously spared their house and the barn, which was half full of hay at the time.

The house had been watered down with a sprinkler system until 2pm when the tanks ran dry and the pair evacuated to Merimbula.

"The fire created its own weather and adapted to the topography, it's extraordinary some places survived, but so much history has disappeared," Don said.

Jane and Don both said the shock of the impact of the fires meant it was emotionally testing to return to their property.

"We are so lucky to have the house, but the loss of the studio is still hard to come to terms with," Jane said.

The couple are also custodians of the Kiah Cemetery, which is on their property and was relatively unscathed, the headstones looking much as they did prior.

There are 43 grave sites on the property, which Don and Jane say have revealed some interesting stories of the past told by descendants of early colonists visiting the cemetery over the years.

Don said the support given to them since the extensive damage caused by the fires has been largely unexpected.

"We met Roger Timms from Acora at a Kiah recovery meeting who just tapped us on the shoulder and asked if we needed any help," he said.

"Acora helped fix our machinery and fencing, they just kept coming back over a string of Fridays, really lovely people, it was just a game changer".

"Connecting Communities were also a godsend. They were so unassuming and spent two days coiling up burnt wire, a thankless job. Blazeaid gave us a week. Wonderful!

"Many local people have selflessly supported one another. The capacity to give in such a materialistic world was unexpected and we are very grateful."

Half of their land is held under Biodiversity Conservation Trust and the amount of regrowth and weed growth since the fires were extinguished and the 2021 La Nina weather pattern that has been in effect has presented the pair with a landscape which is now "confronting" in a different sense.

The couple plan to regenerate and rebuild, and currently have development approval plans in with council for a new studio.

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