Country Arts SA pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing connection and spiritual relationship to these lands, waters and skies. We are committed to listening and helping care for Country, and to safeguard, share and celebrate First Nations’ living cultures.
2019 Grindell’s Hut Winner Announced
Adelaide artist Fran Callen has been selected from 26 applicants nationwide for the three week Grindell’s Hut Artist-in-Residence program.
The Grindell’s Hut Artist-in-Residence program is a partnership between Country Arts SA, the Department for Environment and Water and the Vulkathunha‐Gammon National Park’s Co-Management Board, National Parks South Australia and Natural Resources SA Arid Lands.
The residency will take place in the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park in the Northern Flinders Rangers.
“Fran Callen is one of our finest contemporary artists who has continued to evolve and keep us intrigued. Her contemporary drawings and her geological interest in the area as well as her affable personality put
her in good stead for this residency,” said Country Arts SA Chief Executive Officer Steve Saffell.
The vision for the residency program is to provide an environment of extraordinary natural beauty with historic significance for artists to pursue their practice while immersed in an outback environment. The park forms part of the traditional country of the Adnyamathanha people and is rich with cultural significance. It is also a haven for many rare and endangered plants and animals.
She will have the opportunity to meet with local Adnyamathanha community members and will be supported to ensure correct protocols are respected and followed and the Adnyamathanha community feels welcome and able to engage with the project.
“As a child I accompanied my dad on Geological Mapping expeditions to remote areas of South Australia such as Lake Frome, Adnyamathanha country,” Fran said. “I’ve wanted to apply for Grindell’s Hut for many years. It’s the perfect residency for me. I look forward to reconnecting with Adnyamathanha people, learning, exploring and drawing as much as I can, and letting this experience inspire, enrich and deepen my art practise for a long, long time.”
Fran will be in residency from 7-28 October, 2019. Part of the residency outcome will be Fran working towards a new body of work for exhibition and creating a community mural with local children.