Image: Din Heagney, AUSTRALIEN, 2007, cut flags (installation view), PB Gallery, Prahran.

Image: Din Heagney, AUSTRALIEN, 2007, cut flags (installation view), PB Gallery, Prahran.

FOREIGN ART OFFICE

 

FAO (2010–11) was a solo research project that looked at the changing role of the artist in the 21st century, the influence of new materials on art production, and more philosophical explorations of language, geopolitics, environment and commerce. 

Din travelled to the USA, UK, Germany and China to meet and interview artists, curators, designers, musicians, writers, and other creative professionals. He sent posts to The Art Life about exhibitions in New YorkLondon and Berlin. Din was also offered a writer-in-residence position with PBS Art 21 Magazine while in NYC, where he wrote about and interviewed artists Lily HibberdCarl ScraseMaya Kramer and Richard Mosse. 

In China, Din wrote for local websites about touring Australian Indigenous art, and young Shanghainese artists. He was also interviewed by ABC Radio National about his experiences. You can listen to the interview here. The remaining research material formed part of Din's ongoing practice.

This project was supported by the Australian Government through an Australia Council for the Arts, Skills and Arts Development grant.