Shifting Ground

Shifting Ground: Reframing art, reclaiming place and reshaping cultural memory

Felicity Fenner

Shifting Ground explores recent shifts in the rationale, methodology and engagement with art projects undertaken for the public domain in Australia. It charts the turn in public art away from colonialist imperatives to embrace new approaches to art and placemaking that reflect more inclusive and contemporary values.

An introductory overview by lead author Felicity Fenner is underpinned with four book chapters written by experts and practitioners on the front line of making change, and eleven case studies by artists and curators. Themes include the growing visibility of First Nations culture, art’s capacity to connect with urban and natural environments and the challenges of creating art in public, amongst other topics. Collectively the texts examine a wide range of projects from around Australia, from artist-initiated projects through to major institutional, corporate and government public art commissions in the heart of our cities.

176 pages, hardcover, 25 x 18 cm, colour

Author: Felicity Fenner

Design: Evi-O.Studio

Year: 2025

ISBN: 9 780645 521061

Published by: Formist (Gadigal / Sydney)