OUTPUT: Art After Fire is a bilateral, international pilot project facilitated by South East Arts and FieldScreen International. Starting in late 2020 the project brought together the experiences and insight of ten visual artists and creative writers who faced and addressed the wildfires that devastated southeast Australia and the western United States of America in 2019-20.
OUTPUT Art after Fire: A Folio aims to support those affected by fires, since the start of this year, participating artists in Australia and the US have been researching, developing and creating new work with the main field research and studio work phase ending in early May. The visual and written output has now been presented through an online catalogue publication.
Speaking with Andrew Gray, Executive Director of South East Arts, he commented that “a key point of the success of this project hinged on forming the partnership with FieldScreen International and their network. This allowed our regional network to connect with international artists which really aligned with our core purpose – to assist local artists in having reach beyond their region and there’s no reason for this reach to stop nationally!”
“The use of art and engagement in artistic practice as a response to any disaster or traumatic experience is ultimately at the heart of this project, what we provided was a little bit of funding and the opportunity to connect either as colleagues and mentors. You will see such diversity in the work produced by the artists from creative writing, visual arts, sculpture and more. Notably, as well, Katherine Boland’s work was nominated recently as a finalist for the 2021 Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize”.
Andrew added “we are seeing the relationships formed during the project continue from both an organisational level as well as at an artist and mentor level, whether formally or casually. Here at South East Arts, we hope to continue to build our relationship with FieldScreen International.”
“In the future, we will plan to mount an actual exhibition showcasing the work where possible so stay tuned!”
If you would like to view the OUPUT Art After Fire you can view the catalogue here.
OUTPUT Art after Fire is facilitated jointly by South East Arts and FieldScreen International and is supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through their Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program.
Image: It Doesn’t Look Like Paradise Anymore by Cara Despain 2019