Get to know the 2024 Studio Program Artists
Carly Tarkari Dodd
What does a typical day in the studio look like to you?
Honestly my studio days can start quite early sometimes around 7:30am. I usually have my headphones on listening to music and often with a soy iced latte in hand. I have been working with textiles a lot so I’m usually cutting lengths of fabric and stuffing them to then weave and create soft sculptures.
You have so quickly made your studio space personal to you. Show us some of your work or any sentimental items in your studio.
Two things that come to mind one being the first basket I ever made when I was around 10 years old. It’s made from the traditional reeds (sedge grass), I made it down at Camp Coorong with Ngarindjerri Elder and weaving icon Aunty Ellen Trevorrow. I always show people the wonky basket because it’s shows how far I’ve come and practice makes “perfect”
The other special piece is a woven frame I made last year for my solo exhibition One of Many, the photo is my nana who passed away just before I made the work. I love looking over at her while I’m weaving away, I know she is watching over me.
What are you working on?
I am working on a small series of chunky woven baskets made from coloured satin fabric and recycled T-shirt yarn. It is more of a fun and intuitive exercise for me, it’s interesting to see how they slowly form. The organic shapes that they form make it seem as if they have their own little personalities.
Current consumptions?
I love watching a good comfort tv show or movie like That’s so Raven, Hairspray or Grease. I am currently binge watching Agatha Christie's Poirot even though I have already seen every episode multiple times. As for listening I listen to a lot of music daily, in my playlists you will find Elvis Presley, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston and Tears for Fears.
Abbey Murdoch
What does a typical day in the studio look like to you?
A typical day in the studio at the moment is coming in and turning on the air-con (if it isn’t already!) and just catching up with everyone in the space, also making the attempt to catch every person that walks by.
You have so quickly made your studio space personal to you. Show us some of your work or any sentimental items in your studio.
My studio really represents a wasteland of random household objects and domestic materials at the moment. But I'd have to say my favourite object within the stdio space is my rainbow oil painting, I painted it my first year of art school and its forever been my favourite piece, it also represents the last time I ever attempted oil painting.
What are you working on?
I'm working on locating and building a timeline for specific empty low income houses and figuring out why they are empty and for how long, including interviewing people surrounding the property, looking back through google maps etc, building somewhat of a profile around these homes.
Current consumptions?
At the moment I've been so interested in the representation of the home within movies and tv shows. I'm a big horror fan and I love the movies which portray the home as being the thing that’s haunting/affecting them, I find it so interesting, even shows that represent the certain types of homes I'm looking at like the movie Snowtown, or the show Struggle Street.
Marian Sandberg
What does a typical day in the studio look like to you?
I drop my 3 year old off at daycare and ride along the linear park. I'm usually first in the studio, so turn the aircon on because I cannot deal with the heat! I always want to say good morning to someone, so wander around ACE until I find another human, or just yell "good morning!" into the void. I like to start a 3d print first thing, so that I can watch it throughout the day and feel a sense of productive creation straight off the bat. My days are then a mix of machine-making, reading and stitching, interspersed heavily with YouTube tutorials and online shopping for materials to solve all of my studio-based problems.
You have so quickly made your studio space personal to you. Show us some of your work or any sentimental items in your studio.
My studio has a techno-granny-chic aesthetic to it which is reflected in my work as a whole. All of my 3d printers are housed inside of antique cabinetry, behind me you'll find a quilt embroidered with my google search history, and on the wall you'll find embroidery thread hanging next to electronic wiring, and electric paint on top of sewing pins. My most treasured studio spot is a small series of photos representing cherished moments in my career.
What are you working on?
I'm prototyping a large-scale kinetic sculpture which I hope to control through my own breath. I want to knit some sort of sensor using conductive yarn to link myself to the sculpture in the gallery space. Maybe it'll be a vest, not sure! I guess I'll need to learn how to knit.
Current consumptions?
Listening to Aviici, Reading Bernard Stiegler's Technics and Time, watching Bob's Burgers and eating last night's leftover dinner.
Katey Smoker
What does a typical day in the studio look like to you?
I like routine in the studio, it keeps me focussed. I typically start my day with a cup of tea, using that time to plan my day and take care of any paperwork for my practice. The rest of the day is usually dedicated to playing, experimenting and quite literally, waiting for paint to dry!
You have so quickly made your studio space personal to you. Show us some of your work or any sentimental items in your studio.
In my studio, I have several sentimental pieces, but one holds particular significance: Economic Growth. This artwork is a made from paper intentionally left to decay in compost, where it was consumed by slaters and other bugs. This artwork is very different from much of my other work and was made at the height of COVID. It reminds me of the inevitability of change and that life is short, which keeps me motivated to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.
What are you working on?
I have several projects on the go at the moment. One of them involves experimenting with the size of paint cubes - I’m trying to see just how large I can make them. I’m also exploring colour to find a combination that reflects my current mood.
Current consumptions?
To stay out of the heat, I’ve been spending my time indoors catching up on a few programs on Stan. I’ve just finished Better Call Saul, which inspired me to re-watch Breaking Bad which I have found to be even better the second time around!
Emmaline Zanelli
What does a typical day in the studio look like to you?
Coming in and out a bit. Because I live down south in Maslin Beach, it’s so amazing to have a spot in the city. I’ll leave for a bit and go see some art or pick up some prints or have a meeting then come back and make or edit or read, then head out again. So nice to have a west end base I can’t even explaaaaain.
You have so quickly made your studio space personal to you. Show us some of your work or any sentimental items in your studio.
Tbh the little mattress couch thing I’ve got under the window with blankets from my nonnas house. Lying there and working on my laptop or looking at all the stuff pinned on the walls and trying to find how it all connects up…. It’s good.
What are you working on?
I’m currently working on a big mouse cage with tunnels <3
Current consumptions?
Eating Watermelon, reading Midnights Children by Salman Rushdie, watching Top Boy and Mr Bean, listening to Sevdaliza, Burial, and Little Simz!!
2024
