Date: Friday, 9th April 2010
Time: 12.30 – 2.00PM
Location: Information & Cultural Exchange, Parramatta
Though I arrived extremely late for the event with Andy Minh Trieu, Laurent Boiteux, and my young 12-year old sister, I was given the opportunity to speak with some of the artists there that were willing to share their experiences and advice.
The stories they shared were both inspiring and invaluable. For such artists to become established nationally and internationally, it came down to one all-encompassing trick of the trade:
It’s all about SELF-PROMOTION!
It’s all about putting yourself out there. Making some noise. All that jazz. Things that I would dream of rather than act upon. It is that type of thinking that I have to conform to in order to get myself forward in the game. Still, though I keep things to myself, I’m pretty sure to find a way to show myself to the world – starting a website, making posters, going around community boards even. As long as you self-promote and self-market yourself, you’ll find work one way or another.
Which leads to another trick of the trade (which really isn’t much of a trick, more like a NEED):
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Though there are times I actually loathe the word, it doesn’t deter me from the fact that it’s who you know not how well you deliver your art that keeps you on your toes. Personally, I haven’t gotten that far finding a way to get myself out there let alone network, but for now it’s all a matter of taking small steps to a larger goal.
After hearing from the artists themselves, I definitely need to get myself in check. It’s been a while since I’ve done any artwork at all due to other commitments that are currently top priority.
So… let me start by saying this:
For those interested in seeing some of my works, head here: DA Portfolio or here: The Loop. I’ve been meaning to set up a new page for other types of work. However, with my screenwriting needing more TLC at this stage, it’s been on backburner for quite a while. Many of you may find it on Facebook in the near future.
I hope that I can pursue this venture soon… I miss my art.
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Street Artists:
Ben Frost is a visual and performance artist who has achieved considerable recognition and notoreity for his work locally and internationally. He has exhibited at the MCA as well as in local galleries in Sydney. His work incorporates a critical pop culture references and comments on contemporary Western cultural obsessions with image and celebrity.
Beastman (Brad Eastman) is a visual artist, designer and photographer whose distinctive style of parallel worlds and strange ceartures can now be seen on a number of street artworks in Sydney and Melbourne. He has exhibited locally and internationally and his work is influenced by skate and graffiti culture.
Phibs is a street and graffiti artist who has been working for over ten years. His distinctive “cut-back” style is particularly well-recognised in Melbourne’s laneways. He works on walls, canvas, skateboards and clothing, and has also been involved in many live art and live painting shows in both Australia and Asia.
Shannon Crees is a mixed media artist who started out in fashion and design. She has exhibited widely in Sydney, as well as Brisbane, London and Tokyo, and has also been involved in a number of major public art/graffiti projects in Sydney and London.
Marie Setiawan 