Blacktown Arts will host a selection of local, national and international artists throughout 2018 as part of the Creative Residency Program.
These artists will explore their artistic practice and develop individual projects at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre and Blacktown’s Main Street art studios.
Blacktown’s 2018 artists-in-residence are:
Troy Russell – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Residency
In collaboration with choreographer Henrietta Baird and Ensemble Offspring, Troy Russell will produce contemporary compositions inspired by his grandmother’s stories.
Gabriella Florek – Performing Arts Residency
Emerging contemporary theatre writer Gabriella Florek will develop a new work based on stories of suburban life in multicultural Blacktown.
Michelle Vernot – Visual Arts Studio Residency
Local visual artist Michelle Vernot will create a series of ball gowns using found natural materials such as leaves and other objects.
Dennis Sultana – Visual Arts Studio Residency
Dennis Sultana is a local artist who will produce a series of paintings for an upcoming exhibition.
Justine Youssef – Visual Arts Studio Residency
Multi-media artist Justine Youssef will engage with Arabic communities in Western Sydney to produce photographic and video works that explore the displacement of Arabic culture across the world.
Neda Farrahi – Visual Arts Studio Residency
Neda Farrahi will create a series of portraits of members of the Blacktown community.
Lorraine Simiana – Visual Arts Studio Residency
Lorraine Simiana will experiment with different processes and materials to visualise sound.
Sima Alikhani – Visual Arts Studio Residency
Sima Alikhani – winner of the 2016 Blacktown City Art Prize People’s Choice Prize – will explore the style of Persian miniature painting.
Helmy El-Rab – Visual Arts Studio Residency
Helmy El-Rab will explore his painting practice to produce a series of portraits.
Nicole Cadelina – Visual Arts Studio Residency
Nicole Cadelina will explore a full range of artistic processes including performance, video installation, photography and text-based art.
Lana Kershaw – Pat Parker Memorial Residency
Lana Kershaw will develop a series of short monologues related to domestic violence in partnership with the Women’s Activities and Self-Help House in Mount Druitt.
Pepa Molina – Without Borders Residency
Pepa Molina will research and develop her new dance work Perceptions in consultation with the retired Hispanic communities in Blacktown, including community members who have 3rd and 4th stage dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The Creative Residency Program is known for supporting artistic development and emerging arts practices. The program offers both space and/or funding throughout the year to selected recipients, providing artists with an opportunity to begin, develop or finish their artistic project.
Photo
Lorraine Simiana by Joshua Morris