Opening earlier this month, Fordtown<\/em> is an expanded documentary project by visual artist Kaitlyn Church that explores the impact that the closure of the Ford Motor Company\u2019s manufacturing facilities has had on the city of Geelong.<\/p>\n On October 7, 2016, the last engine rolled off the assembly line in North Geelong, thus ending the 91-year manufacturing history between the Ford Motor Company and the city.<\/p>\n The identity of Geelong has been linked to the local Ford factory since it began operation in 1925.<\/p>\n Ford\u2019s arrival allowed Geelong to enjoy the same type of wealth and prosperity as other motor cities across the globe such as Detroit, Nagoya, and Birmingham. Geelong became so synonymous with the company that it would colloquially become known as “Fordtown”.<\/p>\n Church is a Melbourne-based visual artist, employing photography, video and archival sources.<\/p>\n She uses her upbringing in Geelong and rural Victoria as a source of inspiration for her photographic work, and is presently focused on documenting the ever-changing landscape of regional Australia.<\/p>\n She also has an interest in the history of Australia and explores the impact of past events on the contemporary landscape.<\/p>\n