Tapping into its creative side, the City has produced a series of entertaining new videos that showcase more than a dozen local, and hugely talented, artists.
The Made in Stirling videos feature short interviews with creatives who live or work within the City, ranging from sculptors, industrial designers and eco-artists to dancers, musicians and a comedy hypnotist.
The 15 videos offer a rare insight into these fascinating people as they talk about the creative process at the heart of their inspiring works or occupations.
A way of supporting local creatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, the videos serve to promote their considerable skills to the community as well as help them connect with new projects.
In the videos, Innaloo artist Julie Silvester talks about a gift that prompted her move into painting; musician Mark Turner from Doubleview shares how COVID-19 enabled him to refocus his creative energies and circus performer Michael Speranza of Innaloo recounts his travels as his alter-ego ‘Pirate Man’.
Dancer/choreographer Ashleigh Perrie from Doubleview – who received media coverage for her wearable art during the height of COVID-19 pandemic – talks about the inventive paper bag outfits she fashioned while in hotel quarantine.
At just 31 years of age, Ashleigh is an inspirational local performer who already has a long list of achievements that includes working with contemporary dance companies and featuring in a mix of TV and film projects.
“While I was isolated and alone and had that free time I was able to become all these different characters (queens, princesses and superheroes) and occupy my brain and keep myself busy,” Ashleigh said.
“I have had a great response from it, so if there’s something that motivates you and you feel you could create something with it, I’d definitely say give it a go.”
Drawing on stories from relatives and his own travels, Aboriginal artist Kevin Bynder of Nollamara explains the joy of bringing a sense of history and knowledge to his works.
Kevin has successfully transformed a hobby into a full time career, designing AFL indigenous round football jumpers for the West Coast Eagles and Port Adelaide.
“Blokes run out with the jumper on their backs that you’ve designed and I’ve seen people in the crowd wearing them – they’re definitely my highlights,” Kevin said.
“The reaction you get because of what you’ve created, it brings a smile to my face because I know I’ve done something good for somebody.”
Clocking in at five to six minutes each, the videos offer a fascinating look into some of the artistic folk who get creative in and around the City of Stirling.
Local creatives profiled in the ‘Made in Stirling’ videos
- Matt Aitken (interdisciplinary artist)
- Kevin Bynder (Aboriginal artist - featured below)
- Linzi Carter (mixed media artist)
- Vee Casey (eco artist)
- James Cerrano (industrial designer)
- Matt Hale (comedy hypnotist and Mindhacks speaker)
- Sofie Hayes (watercolour and ink artist)
- Mei Swan Lim (sound and mixed media artist)
- Shann O’Connor (DJ and entertainment agency director)
- Tony Pankiw (sculptor, public artist)
- Ashleigh Perrie (dancer/choreographer)
- Annie Rawle (textile artist)
- Julie Silvester (pastel artist)
- Michael Speranza (circus and flow artist)
- Mark Turner (singer, songwriter, musician)
City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin said the timing was perfect to put this diverse group of creative people in the spotlight.
“Local creative industries have faced a lot of economic challenges during the past few months and these videos are an excellent opportunity to promote them and hopefully send more projects their way,” Mayor Irwin said.
“We have endeavoured to highlight a wide range of local creatives including a Nyoongar visual artist, mural artists, sculptors, musicians and entertainers like hypnotists, so the interviews make for really entertaining viewing.”
Head to the City’s YouTube channel to check out all the videos in the Made in Stirling playlist.
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