Fremantle Press poet Caitlin Maling receives a $50,000 Marten Bequest scholarship
Fremantle Press congratulates poet Caitlin Maling on receiving a 2017 Marten Bequest scholarship. Caitlin has been awarded $50,000 to further her eco-critical practice through residencies and research in Australia and in Italy.
‘I’m still reeling. It was one of those weird situations where I actually couldn’t believe it, it was only after they made the public announcement that I accepted it was happening! Mostly, I’m just so grateful; having resources just to create is astounding!’ said Caitlin.
The award-winning author of Conversations I’ve Never Had and Border Crossing will be using the scholarship for residencies and research in various Australian regions, as well as Taleggio Valley in Italy.
‘So much of my work is about travel and place; this grant gives me the chance to embed myself in a series of specific sites. The aim is processual, it’s more about developing my skills than about developing a product. So I’m excited to be in places like the NAHR residency in Italy, surrounded by others artists and just having the space to be open to whatever develops,’ said Caitlin.
Caitriona Fay, National Manager of Philanthropy for Perpetual (trustee of the Marten Bequest) stated: ‘We are delighted to support these impressive artists and look forward to seeing how this opportunity helps them develop professionally, and raises the profile of Australian arts internationally. Perpetual is pleased to be working with the Australia Council to deliver this investment in the arts, and we join them in congratulating the successful recipients.’
Caitlin agreed the scholarship was an incredible opportunity for herself, her fellow artists, and the Australian artistic community as a whole.
‘It’s no secret that arts funding, especially for developing and mid-career artists, has felt increasingly under threat. I think the Marten Bequest is amazingly generous in what it provides for artists across all practices and is essential to the continuing development of innovation in arts in Australia,’ said Caitlin.
The Marten Bequest travelling scholarships were established by John Chisholm Marten to provide financial support for talented young Australian artists to explore, study and develop their artistic gifts through travelling either interstate or overseas. Twelve Australian artists from nine categories received Marten Bequest scholarships in 2017.