At PICA we recognise that we are situated within the unceded lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects and offer our gratitude to Elders past and present, and to those emerging leaders in the community. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the importance of their care and continued connection to culture, community and Country.

Always was, always will be.

We are open 10am–5pm. Our exhibitions are always free.

The How: A Forum for Emerging Artists

The How: A Forum for Emerging Artists

To coincide with the opening of Hatched: National Graduate Show 2022, this panel discussion brings together a group of highly commended artists and creative practitioners, each with an array of unique insights and experiences of forging and sustaining a creative practice. In present times of economic, political and social upheaval, with a federal election fast approaching, the artists and creative practitioners featured will discuss their approaches to sustainable practice, including what this has meant for their careers so far and practical advice for emerging artists seeking to sustain a career in the arts. Some first-hand knowledge you don’t want to miss!

Each panelist will give an overview of their recent experiences as a practicing artist. Topics discussed will include accessing funding sources, navigating freelance and project-based employment, developing and presenting work as part of international and national arts festivals, and negotiating work-life balance. This insightful forum aims to provide an understanding of what sustainable arts practice might look like, both now and into the future.

Mayma Awaida is a first-generation Lebanese producer and artist interested in community-engaged creative practice. Currently Curator of Spaced’s Know Thy Neighbour #3 program, her work investigates how the urban and social contexts of place can empower communities to meaningfully engage with their local environments. Previously, Mayma worked at DADAA for a number of years, where she was Producer for The Other Film Festival WA adapted in partnership with Arts Access Victoria, which formed part of the Perth Festival’s 2021 program. She was also Gallery Manager at Cool Change Contemporary, where she now continues in her role as Chair.

In an artistic capacity, Mayma was a commissioned artist in Perth Festival’s program (Rethinking the Image, 2021) alongside her long-term collaborator Tony Sarre, which was later re-commissioned and extended for gallery presentation at DADAA Fremantle (Beckoning for Closeness, 2021). Her work also spans various small offerings including for the Fremantle Biennale 2021 (Bilya Bidi audio walk), as a lab facilitator in Perth Festival’s Connect program (2020), and in Perth Festival’s Visual Arts Writing Group (2020). Mayma creates and contemplates on Whadjuk Noongar Bibulmun boodjar.

Erin Coates is a visual artist working across drawing, sculpture and film. Her work is informed by her deep interest in biology, science fiction and genre film cultures. Drawing from her own background in rock climbing and freediving, her practice focuses on the limits of our bodies and physical interaction with and within given environments. Erin’s work is exhibited in galleries and also screened in international film festivals. Her work is held in several major collections and currently she is a participant in rīvus: the 23rd Biennale of Sydney. Earlier this year she held a solo survey exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

Erin has worked in various professional arts roles over the past two decades, including as a writer for national arts journals, curator, public art coordinator, academic and creative producer. She is a senior adjunct lecturer at the University of Western Australia and she holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia, Canada. Visit Erin’s website.

Andrew Varano is the director of sweet pea, an art gallery in Boorloo (Perth) on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. He is interested in art as a poetic and mystic medium which is acted upon by communities. He likes to think about expressiveness, therapeutic techniques, spookiness, ways of nurturing and thinking errors. Andrew worked as a curator at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and delivered numerous touring, group and solo exhibitions. He also enjoys collaborating with others in the founding and running of independent gallery spaces and was a co-director of OK Gallery (2011 – 2013), a co-conspiracist with Pet Projects (2016 – 2017) and a board member and eventual treasurer of Cool Change Contemporary (2019 – 2020).

As a professional art installer and technician, he has previously worked on projects at PICA, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery at UWA, the Fremantle Arts Centre, the Perth Festival and Midland Junction Arts Centre as well as for private clients. He specialises in exhibition design and finding creative and appealing solutions to what he describes as ‘sculpture problems.’ Andrew loves to work with artists to help achieve what they thought was not possible or accessible to them. He writes hopefully and sporadically, usually under pseudonyms and is also a qualified yoga instructor.

Supporters

Hatched 2022 is made possible by the generosity of Major Exhibition Partner the Minderoo Foundation. PICA’s opening events, public programs, family and learning programs and studio residencies are supported by our Community Engagement Partner the City of Perth.

Image: Susie Blatchford