Museum of Monoculture is a new exhibition that looks at how modern farming practices since the 1940s have impacted the environment, landscapes and wildlife.
Bendigo-based agricultural historian and printmaker Justine Philip was inspired to present the exhibition after working on a European Research Council project The Making of Monoculture. A Global History.
Monoculture farming is an agricultural practice where a single crop species, such as wheat or corn, is grown on a specific piece of land, often from season to season. Justine's research examined primary food and fibre production systems, the use of pesticides and the impact of industrial farming on the economy, the environment, landscapes and waterways.
Opening on Wednesday October 8 at Dudley House on View Street, the exhibition features 24 original hand-printed limited edition screenprints of rare and extinct wildlife and industrial agriculture, based on themes around biodiversity loss, extinction and vulnerability. The collection draws inspiration from traditional protest posters and posters from the British Empire Marketing Board that appeared in the 1920s.
Justine said until the early to mid-20th century, industrial agriculture and visual arts worked closely together.
"Artists were often invited to document new technologies, and museums focused on industry and technology which were popular. Since the late 1940s, however, modern food and fibre production has grown larger and complex and become less visible to the public revealing a gaping hole in the visual archives," Justine said.
"I hope people will find my prints compelling. This exhibition is an opportunity to share the research I have worked on over the past 10 years with a wider audience, outside of academia. I want to highlight the vulnerabilities of our rare and endangered species as they navigate our increasingly agrochemical environment."
The free exhibition is open from Wednesday October 8 to Tuesday October 21 at Dudley House, 60 View Street from 11am to 4pm* (*closed on Mondays and open from 12 noon on October 8). All are welcome to the exhibition's official opening event from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday October 11.
The exhibition is supported by the City of Greater Bendigo's Artists on View program.
