Steph catches up with artist Shirley Wu, who is known for her glass sculptures containing coloured oils. They chat about how her work is informed by previous training in aromatherapy and bodywork, and ultimately underpinned by mindfulness. Shirley is currently an artist-in-residence at Nexus Arts and gives us some insight into her upcoming exhibition Find that Pace as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2023. 

Show Notes

• Interview Transcript (PDF)

Shirley would like to acknowledge Bridget Currie and Jingwei Bu, her mentors for her current project; Dr Christine Garnaut and Dr Julie Collins from the Architecture Museum at UniSA; and Dr Eleen Deprez who is writing the essay for Find that Pace.

Main image by Juan Van Staden courtesy of the artist and the University of South Australia

Steph catches up with self-taught painter Caitlin Möhr after a busy year that included her debut solo exhibition ‘An Introspective Journey’ at Collective Haunt.

Transcript of this episode [PDF]

Show Notes

• cadaver (noun) a deceased human body that is used to study anatomy

Steph catches up with artist Ash Tower during the exhibition Studios 2022 at Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE). 

They wax poetic about knowledge systems – from library shelves and scientific journals to the honor board at the RSL – which may sound like a dry subject, but Ash’s work reveals a contagious reverence for the humanness that surrounds the growing and organising of knowledge. There’s also talk of architecture, gaming, Baz Luhrmann film trivia, and coffins.

Transcript of this episode (PDF)

Show Notes

• www.ash-tower.com

Steph catches up with Ruby Allegra ahead of their solo exhibition ‘From My Room’ at Newmarch Gallery. Fittingly, their chat takes place in Ruby’s room, where they discuss the concept of the bed as a workspace, (a key theme of the exhibition), accessibility in the arts, and a love of Matisse. See also: blanket forts, and what spoons have to do with anything.

Transcript of this interview (PDF)

Show Notes

• @RvbyTheArtist on Instagram

Main image: A person with brown hair in a pink jumper holds a gray short-haired cat and looks at the camera. Photo of Ruby Allegra by Sia Duff.

Music: Siddharta Corsus - Star of David via FreeMusicArchive.org

Andrew Purvis sits down with Julia Robinson to discuss her exhibition The Beckoning Blade at Hugo Michell Gallery during SALA Festival. From scythes to smocks, the Burry Man to the Wicker Man, witchfinders and gourdfathers; tune in to hear about the cultural, conceptual, and material considerations that drive Julia’s practice.

Show Notes

• JuliaRobinson.net

Image: Julia Robinson by Sam Roberts.

Andrew Purvis chats with Mark Valenzuela about his journey as an artist and his current exhibition, 'Still Tied to a Tree' at Adelaide Central Gallery. Tune in to hear about his influences and connections to his practice – from Filipino culture, to chess, to the fictitious villain General Zod.

Show Notes

• 2022 SALA Feature Artist

Further Reading:

Meet your Maker: Mark Valenzuela - The Adelaide Review [article]

In this episode, Steph catches up with painter Josh Juett (and Winsor the lorikeet) at his homestudio ahead of his show LOST IN THOUGHT at Praxis Artspace. They chat about the early days of his practice (including his first sale, a seascape for $1 in primary school) and through various artistic and musical influences that Steph definitely had to google later. Tune in to hear about his new work that broaches new mediums and the rationale behind the exhibition.

Show Notes

• Greg Simkins  / @Craola

Steph catches up with Carly Snoswell to talk about her practice and her new show, Day One, at Post Office Projects. They trace the development of her practice from learning to sew as a kid, through art school, residencies, and studios - shoutout to the 'art wives'! Tune in for some lovely musings on fandom, textile practice, and too many sewing puns!

Show Notes

• Helpmann Academy Sanskriti Kendra Residency in New Delhi, India

To celebrate this anniversary year, we handed the microphone over to you! Hear from people who have connected with SALA Festival over its 25 years and what it means to them.

Catherine Truman joins Andrew Purvis to discuss the dynamics of artist residencies, the importance of a self-imposed 'pause', the desire to artistically locate the person behind their research, and the beginnings of her work from her time in residency at Carrick Hill. This episode was recorded as part of the Adelaide Central School of Art's ArtSpeak Program.

Show Notes

• Gray Street Workshop