"I see Antarctica as a place that troubles the edges of habitability and where remoteness is not just geographical but also shapes how non-Indigenous humans reimagine themselves and the settler cultures they create. My practice has long been oriented towards these subjects, and the Antarctic opens up an extreme register of these relations. For me, it’s a site to think about planetary governance, transforming climates and the ways in which the human world’s ‘uninhabitable’ spaces are drawn into circuits of knowledge production, ownership and speculation."
Head of the Australian Antarctic Division, Emma Campbell congratulated Dr Stanton and Leila Jeffreys, the 2023 Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow who will accompany her.
"We are pleased to support artists to travel to Antarctica to develop creative works that will engage audiences in this wonderful place that has such great importance to global climate."
"Australia has a unique connection with Antarctica established through our historical presence on the continent, our important climate science and our environmental stewardship of the region."
"It’s a remote and remarkable place and the Fellowship is about providing a platform to inspire artists to develop works that bring the value of Antarctica to diverse audiences in unique and creative ways."
Run since 1984, the Arts Fellowship is part of the Australian Antarctic Program administered by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. It aims to increase awareness and appreciation of Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic and the Southern Ocean. As one of Australia’s most unique residency experiences, it enables artists and creative professionals to travel south to conduct research for the development of creative outcomes.
Past RMIT recipients of the Fellowship include Professor Phillip Samartzis, who travelled south with the Australian Antarctic Division in 2009–10 and 2015–16, making field recordings of the unique sounds of Antarctica.
The Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT) assists in the artist-selection process and generously supports Arts Fellows with $5000 towards their project. Interim Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor Engagement, College of Design & Social Context, Professor Naomi Stead said, “RMIT is proud to partner with ANAT on brokering opportunities for artists to create experimental, boundary-pushing work with science and technology partners such as the Australian Antarctic Program."
"We are immensely proud of Dr Polly Stanton's appointment as Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow for 2025. This fellowship recognises Polly's exceptional practice as both an artist and educator. I commend her commitment to using this project to think about planetary governance and explore critical environmental themes through creative research, which resonates with the College’s focus on Planetary Civics and Regenerative Futures. The opportunity to work in Antarctica represents a remarkable platform for artistic inquiry, and we look forward to seeing how this experience shapes her practice and enriches the learning experiences of our students," said Deputy Vice Chancellor, College of Design & Social Context, Professor Tim Marshall.
