Conduit for Country – Artist’s Talk – Caleb Nichols-Mansell

Significant Tasmanian Aboriginal artist, Caleb Nichols-Mansell, will present an artist’s talk at McClelland, Conduit for Country, at 11am on Sunday 25 February.

Nichols-Mansell is the cultural adviser to Dark Mofo.  He has been involved in public art commissions throughout Tasmania and is passionate about embedding Aboriginal art, culture, stories, and knowledge throughout the island.  He founded Blackspace Creative Arts and Cultural Hub, Tasmania’s first Aboriginal owned and operated art centre.

Conduit for Country is an opportunity to share and reflect on Nichols-Mansell’s interpretation and response to country through his work as a visual and cultural artist.

Delving into and shining light on the politics of identity, land, and cultural heritage his artwork aims to generate conversation and evoke deep thinking while providing the broader community with an intimate look at what it means to be Tasmanian Aboriginal man in modern day Tasmania.

Conduit for Country is a free event.  Numbers are limited and bookings are essential. https://mcclelland.org.au/events/conduit-for-country

Nichols-Mansell will be in residence at McClelland as one of four First Nations artists selected to take part in the Bunurong Fieldwork Residency. The residency program aims to develop the artists’ skills and capacity in public art, and to deliver major creative outcomes.

While in residency Nichols-Mansell will stay at McClelland’s studio cottage, developing detailed concept proposals for a permanent site-specific public artwork.  He will be supported by McClelland to engage with the Bunurong community to develop a concept proposal for a public artwork that will directly relate to the Bunurong culture and heritage of the land on which it will be based.

Nichols-Mansell says the residency will allow him to focus in on his process, explore different mediums and delve into the world of sculpture.

“Having successfully completed several public art installations at home and interstate this opportunity allows me to continue my work in the space while expanding my networks and connection within the arts and cultural scene,” Nichols-Mansell said.

McClelland Artistic &Executive Director, Lisa Byrne, says the residency program is the only one of its kind to develop connections between Bunurong people and First Nations artist colleagues working on a major sculptural commission proposal.

“McClelland looks forward to a significant First Nations commission arising from this program being realized in 2026,” Ms Byrne said.

The Bunurong Fieldwork Residency at McClelland is supported by the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and Service Stream and has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.