Gallery commission highlights red deer
THE Condensery – Somerset Regional Art Gallery in Toogoolawah is celebrating a $30,000 grant from the Australia Council for the Arts for a commission of work by Brisbane-based, Gympie-born artist Caitlin Franzmann.
Somerset deputy mayor councillor Helen Brieschke said Caitlin will be in residence at the gallery a number of times in the lead up to her exhibition, currently scheduled to run from November 2022 until February 2023.
“Caitlin will be speaking with community members and groups about the history, landscape and geography of the region, including stories of the red deer, which will influence her new work,” Ms Brieschke said.
Gallery curator Rachel Arndt said it was a first for The Condensery to introduce an artist to the region to work closely with the community and respond to our unique and precious history, heritage and natural environment.
Red deer arrived in Somerset as a gift from Queen Victoria to celebrate the naming of Queensland in her honour.
They have since been considered a distinctive emblem of the region which has sparked many questions for Caitlin.
Her research will explore the multi-species relationships and histories that are formed through habitation, farming, hunting, conservation and recreation in the Somerset region.