Museum of Old and New Art

AllCollaborationConsultationPublic Art
Written By Caleb Nichols-Mansell

A living landscape of endemic plants reclaiming space, story, and food sovereignty on Country.

Commissioned by MONA to complement Yhonnie Scarce’s work In Absence, I am leading a culturally responsive environmental intervention through the planting of endemic and culturally significant species. Designed as an evolving ‘outdoor supermarket’, the project foregrounds food sovereignty, community access, and cultural plant use. Developed in collaboration with Palawa community members, the intervention reclaims space and story through living landscape—responding to site, culture, and the rhythms of Country.

Client: MONA
Project Type: Collaboration, Consultation, Public Art
Location: Hobart, Tasmania
Year: Ongoing

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Caleb Nichols-Mansell

Caleb Nichols-Mansell moves between Country, culture, and contemporary practice — weaving stories from land, spirit, and community into powerful visual languages. As a proud Palawa man, Caleb's work bridges the ancient and the evolving, reimagining Aboriginal knowledge systems through design, public art, and digital storytelling.

His practice is rooted in Country and carried forward through site-responsive interventions, graphic and surface design, and large-scale public commissions. Through intricate textures, flowing linework, and bold organic forms, Caleb invites reflection on identity, resilience, and the enduring strength of Palawa people.

His works have been commissioned by leading institutions across Australia, including MONA, University of Tasmania, Arts Tasmania, Australian Fashion Week, Lifeline Australia, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra; embedding stories of survival, connection, and contemporary Aboriginal identity into the cultural, public, and built environment.

www.calebnicholsmansell.com.au

https://www.calebnicholsmansell.com.au
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