Fremantle-based artist Dan McCabe has been selected as the WA participant in the 2018 FAC-Art Ichol Artist in Residence Exchange Program. He will travel to India for a month long residency at the esteemed multi-arts organisation Art Ichol in September.

McCabe, a multi-disciplinary visual artist, explores social, environmental and political challenges facing different communities all over the world in his practice. Working across sculpture, photography, video and installations, McCabe’s recent projects have looked at various concepts including housing affordability, doomsday ideologies, contemporary spirituality and the integration of AI technology into everyday life.

“It is very exciting to be selected for the Art Ichol residency, it’s a really unique opportunity to spend a month in a small, rural community in one of the most densely populated countries in the world,” said McCabe. “I can’t wait to meet people who live and work in the area, source local materials and create works which respond to these experiences and the landscape.”

Dan McCabe, Joiner series, 2017. Image by and courtesy of the artist

Art Ichol is in Maihar, a rural city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, and offers a unique living and working experience to visiting artists through its diverse Artists in Residence program. Artists have access to extensive studio and workshop spaces, including a bronze casting foundry, stone and wood carving workshop, ceramic centre, painter’s studio, graphic studio and an art gallery workshop.

“After the success of last year’s inaugural exchange, we’re so excited to continue our relationship with an institution as well respected as Art Ichol,” said FAC Director Jim Cathcart. “The residency at Art Ichol offers WA artists a really fantastic opportunity to further their practice, develop new skills and meet some truly amazing artists.”

A selected Indian artist will carry out a reciprocal residency at Fremantle Arts Centre later this year.

This program expands on FAC’s long running annual exchange with Taipei Culture Foundation (Taiwan), supported by Asialink, a Melbourne-based arts and business networking organisation.