Dr Emma Rehn

The Study of Houses: Ecological Homes of Far North Queensland is a collaborative art project about homes and connection to place, explored through the diverse ecosystems of far north Queensland.

For this project, currently in development, I will create a series of digital artworks to creatively capture the unique ecosystems of the Cairns region using familiar ideas of houses, homes, and community. Interweaving these urban elements will make ecological concepts relatable and personal. This will allow for explorations of how these ecosystems contribute to our shared ideas of home, and reflect how natural and urban environments overlap.

I will collaborate with local community groups and ecological researchers to identify their values, what we know of these environments, and what they are working to protect. Everyone involved shares a passion for our region; this project expresses the love and sense of belonging felt by the community for these ecosystems and their place in our everyday lives.

The Study of Houses will culminate in a month-long exhibition at Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns in June 2027.

The Study of Houses: Ecological Homes of Far North Queensland is supported by a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant. RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Cairns Regional Council to promote local arts and culture in regional Queensland.