Donald Fortescue

Donald Fortescue is a Professor in the Furniture Program at the California College of the Arts (CCA), where he has led the program since 1997. He holds a PhD from the Australian National University and integrates art, science, and craft in his interdisciplinary practice. His work explores the boundaries of perception, employing both digital technologies and traditional craftsmanship to investigate natural phenomena.

Education:

• PhD, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
• MA, University of Wollongong, Australia
• Assoc. Diploma (Wood), Canberra School of Art, Australia
• B.S., University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Fortescue’s research focuses on the convergence of artistic and scientific methodologies, particularly in extreme environments like the Arctic and Antarctic. His recent projects involve fieldwork in polar regions, collaborating with scientific observatories such as the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole and the KM3NeT in the Mediterranean. He creates sculptural 'instruments' that transduce natural energies—such as wind, light, and atmospheric pressure—into sound and visual forms, revealing hidden aspects of the natural world.

His recent artistic output demonstrates a consistent engagement with themes of transduction, environmental perception, and the material legacies of scientific exploration. Works like Instrument (90ºS) and Bathysphere (for KM3NeT) exemplify his fusion of artistic expression with astrophysical inquiry. These projects reflect a deep interest in how both art and science grapple with noise, signal, and the interpretation of subtle data.

Scientific Awards:

• Experimental Design Award, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (2001)
• US National Science Foundation Antarctic Artists and Writers Fellowship

Fortescue has exhibited widely across Australia, the US, Europe, Asia, and South America. His work is held in major collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Arts and Design (New York), and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. He advises on interdisciplinary research and has received grants from institutions such as the Exploratorium, the Center for Art and Environment, and his academic institutions.

Labs & Collaborations: Fortescue collaborates closely with scientific teams at IceCube and KM3NeT, embedding artistic inquiry within high-energy physics research. His work often involves custom-built instruments deployed in remote environments, functioning both as artworks and as platforms for sensory data collection.