A recent community workshop at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ (DAF) Hermitage Research Facility has shed light on their upcoming art installation.
On Thursday 14th October, a community workshop was held to discuss the design for an art installation in preparation for the 125th anniversary of the Hermitage Research Facility, which is Queensland’s oldest research station.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), stated that the art installation, part of an upgrade to the facility’s visitor information hut, will feature mosaics on sandstone blocks and two upright panels to tell the story of how traditional knowledge and DAF research has contributed to the food security of our communities for the past 60,000 years and continue to keep us all fed well into the future.
The art installation is sponsored by a Regional Arts and Development Fund grant, the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, and DAF.
Southern Downs Regional Council residents, councillors, past and present Hermitage staff and ten Indigenous students from Scots PCG College attended the workshop.
Galibal Elder Aunty Kali, former Warwick Mayor Ron Bellingham, and Hermitage researchers Emma Mace and Alan Cruickshank spoke about food production and the importance of gathering and preserving knowledge for food security.
Local artist Chris Hulme will incorporate information from the workshop into the design of the mosaic.
As part of the creation of the artwork, Mr Hulme is offering free mosaicking workshops in November and December at the School of Total Education.
Places for the workshops are limited, and people interested in attending should contact Mr Hulme on christopherjhulme13@gmail.com.
The final artwork will be unveiled on the 30th of March 2022 during the official 125th anniversary celebrations at Hermitage Research Facility.
