The James O Fairfax Senior Fellow in Culture and Environment program explored how Australians’ lives are intertwined with our continent’s, with forces of wind, water, fire and geology, as well as unique plant, animal, fungi and micro-organic communities.
Through collections, exhibitions, events and publications, the program invited Australians to hear Country tell us its story, which is also our own story, from the deep past to the present. In this time of climate change and threatened species, the program asked how we can make new stories about coming together to better care for our living places.
Fairfax Fellow Kirsten Wehner
Dr Kirsten Wehner was the inaugural James O Fairfax Senior Fellow in Culture and Environment for 2022–25. An established curator, artist, producer and writer, Kirsten’s passion is collaborating to create inspiring experiences that celebrate and transform people’s relationships with their places.
During her fellowship, Kirsten focused on the theme of ‘regeneration’. Through partnerships with cultural, academic and government organisations, as well as artists, scientists, conservationists and diverse communities, she aimed to build understanding of how Australians are fostering flourishing land and waterscapes into the future.
Projects aimed to extend the Museum’s substantial collections relating to culture and environment and amplify the themes of the Museum's Great Southern Land gallery.
Kirsten has worked as an independent curator and artist in Australia and overseas. From 2018–22 she was Director of PhotoAccess, the ACT and region’s centre for contemporary photography, film, video and media arts. She was previously Head Curator, People and the Environment, and Content Director, Museum Enhancement Program, at the National Museum of Australia.
Waterways Country symposium
ACT-based creative platform Catchment Studio and Kirsten Wehner presented the Waterways Country symposium at the National Museum of Australia in 2022. In this video, artists Amanda Stuart and Ellis Hutch discuss Accumulation and Accretion, the artwork and workshop they installed and ran as part of the symposium.
About James O Fairfax and the Fellowship
James Oswald Fairfax (1933–2017) was an eminent Australian media proprietor, company director, art collector and a generous philanthropist. He was appointed a Companion of the Order in 2010 in recognition of his service to the community through support for the visual arts, conservation organisations and building programs for medical research and educational facilities.
The James Fairfax Foundation partnered with the National Museum to create the Senior Fellow in Culture and Environment program, with the aim of building public engagement with the cultural aspects of environmental change.
Acknowledgements
The National Museum of Australia gratefully acknowledges the generous donation by the James Fairfax Foundation that makes possible the Senior Fellow in Culture and Environment program.
Banner image: Wetland Windows quilt (detail), Stephanie Knudsen, WA Inspired Art Quilters. National Museum of Australia