Powerhouse Parramatta and the Cité Internationale des Arts have jointly announced that entries can now be submitted for the 2025 galang residency, a program that supports Australian-based First Nations creatives to undertake two intensive three-month residencies in Paris.
The galang residency program was established to provide creative practitioners with greater access to connections across industry and individual creative practice through research and the development of new work. Examples of eligible applicants include architects, designers, visual artists, musicians, weavers, poets, dancers and performers, or other creative discipline.
The 2024 program attracted entries from a diverse range of professionals, with Sydney-based Worimi and Biripi guri architect Jack Gillmer, and Yuggera and Biri multidisciplinary artist from Brisbane Jody Rallah both offered residencies.
During his residency, Gillmer investigated the display and treatment of Indigenous artefacts and collections, reckoning with the colonial history of museology and the future of acquiring and exhibiting cultural materials. He also studied a concept of “Global off-Country Keeping Place” for cultural materials undergoing repatriation or lacking an on-Country Keeping Place.
Reflecting on the residency, Gillmer said, “The galang residency provided the rare commodity of time with little distractions, while being supported and surrounded by creativity and space to discover the innovative mindset potential we all have. The opportunity is of endless possibilities that enable residents to realise their superpower to influence their discipline and interests to create change.”
Rallah’s research focused on the application of braille and other tactile language systems in haptic artmaking. She noted, “The residency gifted me access to institutions, industry professionals, different cultures, a broader understanding of systems outside of the Australian continent, and global connections unlike anywhere else. Most of all, the residency gave me the opportunity to learn, experience and connect, and to see what it means to create bridges of language cross-culturally.”
The 2025 galang residency selection panel will comprise head of the Residency Department at Cité Internationale Des Arts Vincent Gonzalvez, Powerhouse adjunct curator Brook Garru Andrew and Powerhouse acting director First Nations Beau James.
Applications are open until 31 January 2025, with successful applicants to be announced in March 2025. For information on application requirements and how to submit, visit the Powerhouse website.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
