The Keeper

A slow, durational artwork centered around a public position passed hand to hand, month to month, reshaped by each person who holds it. Keepers act as witnesses, collectors, and quiet instigators, creating public rituals that invite attention, generate curiosity, and surface overlooked stories. They become local archivists of the everyday, attuned to the textures, gestures, and details in their physical and social environment.

Each day, the Keeper adds to a public log, a living, online archive of encounters and insights. Part field diary, part community chronicle the project traces an ongoing portrait of unique places and times.

Conceived and initiated by Jason Maling (Strange Engine) in collaboration with Sunshine Coast Council, Red Chair, and a network of local artists, The Keeper began in Coolum (Queensland) after a 2019 pilot and unfolded there over two years. It has now migrated across the region: Nambour (2024), Caloundra (2025), and Maroochydore (2026).

Team:

Lead Artist and Mentor - Jason Maling

Assistant Mentor - Martyn Coutts

Lead Producer - Angie Dunbaven (Red Chair)

Assistant Producer - Andrew Veivers (Red Chair)

Keepers Assistant - Aimee Gray

Photographic Documentation - Cooper Brady

Video Documentation – Timothy Birch

Council Liaison (Sunshine Coast Council) – Megan Rowland

Coolum Keepers: John Fuller, Jacqui Sanderson, Amie Moffat, Libby Derham, Peta O’hara, Shannon Carroll, Simone Gillam, Kellie O’Demsey, Alison Mooney, Jack Hagan, Andrew Veiviers, Santiago Bruno, Cooper Brady and Petalia Humpheries.

Nambour Keepers: Christopher Eccles, Anthony Borsato, Ben Hines, Chony Bowden, Ketakii Jewson Brown, Nikita Fitzpatrick, Shaye Hardisty, Robyn Cook, Ant Gibbs, Fiona Harding, Shikani Sargeant

Caloundra Keepers: Lisette Lovell, Aimee Gray, Megan Robinson, Patricia McInerney, Ben Burns, Karina Sharpe, Rebecca Boucher-Burns,

This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.