In this special episode recorded at the Adelaide Central School of Art, Andrew Purvis talks to 2024 SALA Feature Artist Julia Robinson, and her monograph writers Hannah Kent, Leigh Robb, and Jess Taylor.

They discuss the collaborative process that brought the book to fruition, and how each of the writers used Julia’s work as inspiration for their pieces, particularly her interest in folklore, horror themes and feminism. Julia also delves into working with designer Rachel Harris on the visual representation of the monograph.

In the Q&A section, Julia explains how the book was structured around each of the writer’s interests; the process for creating her sculptures; and the significance of dark themes in her art. Finally, Julia discusses the impact of receiving the Feature Artist award, and the influence and importance of SALA Festival on her career and the opportunities it affords all artists.

Show notes:

• JuliaRobinson.net
• Hannah Kent
• Leigh Robb – Instagram
• Jess Taylor
• Satanic Panic
• Tilberi – Icelandic Folklore
• The Wicker Man (film, 1973, directed by Robin Hardy)
• The Song of Master John Goodfellow
• gourd (fruit)
• The Gourdfather
• Beatrice in the 2020 Adelaide Biennial at Museum of Economic Botany
• Rappaccini’s Daughter
• Scylla – Greek mythology
• Adelaide Central School of Art
• Julia’s monograph at Wakefield Press

For this special Science Week podcast, presented in partnership with Inspiring SA, SALA talks to Willunga-based artist Claire Foord.

Claire talks about her artistic journey, her inspiration, and the profound impact of her personal experiences on her art.

She delves into how her work has been influenced by a spontaneous bilateral cerebral arterial dissection she suffered three years ago, which serves as the basis for her SALA exhibition 'Occipital’. Claire also shares the story of the stillbirth of her daughter Alfie, and the charity called Still Aware she founded to raise awareness around stillbirth in Australia.

Claire is a finalist in the SALA Inspiring SA Science in Art Award, and The Advertiser Contemporary Art Award.

In this episode, Eugene chats with freestyle embroidery artist Cheryl Bridgart. Cheryl talks about the history of her home/studio at Beltana House on Carrington St in the city, and how her work is inspired by her dreams and her love of the natural world. She shares her excitement at being part of the Lunar Codex program, which will see her work travelling to the moon early next year. Finally, Cheryl speaks of her love of working as a South Australian artist, especially during SALA Festival.

• Cheryl's biography
• History of Beltana Station.
• Guildhouse & Guildhouse Greets
• Adelaide Zoo
• ‘Lose Yourself in Melbourne’ ad
• More about the Lunar Codex program
• Doctor Samuel Peralta
• SpaceX
• Cheryl’s episode on Colour in Your Life.
• Goolwa, South Australia
• Cheryl on Instagram
• Cheryl on Facebook
• Cheryl’s SALA exhibition

Music: Dark Water by Xylo-Ziko

Photo by Jack Fenby

In this episode, Steph catches up with Helen Fuller in the artist’s home studio. Steph asks Helen about the range of mediums she has used over the years, what it’s like to have a book published about her career, and Helen gives context to the artwork that featured on the 2023 SALA Poster & program. They also chat about the influence of family on her artmaking, and the joy of coming home from walks with a pocket full of curiosities. Her exhibition Shedding is on at Adelaide Central Gallery until 27 October 2023.

Show notes

• Interview Transcript (PDF)
• Helen Fuller, Samstag Museum of Art, UniSA, Adelaide Festival 2022 / catalogue
• Helen Fuller (book) Wakefield press
• SALA Feature Artist: Info / Archive
• South Australian Living Artist Publication
• Shedding, at Adelaide Central Gallery (until 27 October 2023)

Music: Raven Warble - Chad Crouch

In this episode, Steph catches up with artist Monika Morgenstern. They chat about the overarching theme of mysticism in her work, and what kind of materials she uses to explore something so intangible. They trace spiritual moments across her life, from childhood awe at Europe’s cathedrals, to the natural splendour of Lake Tyrrell in Australia.

• Monika.Morgenstern.com/biography
• Adelaide Central School of Art
• ArtsSA fellowship / Arts & Culture Grants Program
• Erni Tinesz (glass artist)
• Numinous encounter
• Wordless Silence at Barossa Regional Gallery, Mon-Sun 11am-4pm, 26 July – 2 October 2023.
• Prima materia [wikipedia]
• Jerome Lyons / Cheese Factory Studio Gallery, Meadows SA
• Strathalbyn, South Australia
• Sea Lake, Victoria
• Masonic lodge
• THRFG - Creative Health Art Prize 2023
• @MonikaMorgensternArt
• MonikaMorgenstern.com
• Monika on Facebook & YouTube
• Monika's work on Shop SALA

Music: Dark Water by Xylo-Ziko

Steph catches up with artist Ian Gibbins in this special science-themed episode presented in partnership with Inspiring SA. They chat about Ian's work as scientist and how it informs his art, and some surprising parallels between the fields of science and art – from the urge to show your work to others to the tedium of failed experiments.

Show Notes

• IanGibbins.com.au
• Chris Wallace-Crabbe
• Vincent Buckley
• Urban Biology
• The Joinery
• Ian Gibbins, Beyond the Floodtide
• Conservation Council South Australia
• Catherine Truman
• A Partnership for Uncertain Times: Art + Science + Technology [catalogue]
• ANAT / the Australian Network for Art & Technology
• Ian Gibbins, dog daze, 2017

Image: lo

Music: Ian Gibbins (used with permission)

In this episode, Steph catches up with multidisciplinary artist Kaspar Schmidt Mumm. They throw back to his mother's artistic influence, and trace that framing of art as a vehicle for bigger things through to his latest exhibition, Rockamora. Tune in to hear why participatory sculpture isn't at all like sitting in the front row of a comedy show, and what Ursula Le Guin has to do with offering chips to bullies.

Show Notes:

• Interview Transcript (PDF)
• KasparSchmidtMumm.com
• @Kaspartness (Instagram)
• Koruna Schmidt Mumm
• Jean-Michel Basquiat
• Kaspar’s Painting works
• Kaspar’s Paper works
• IMMI / IMEMI
• Humboldt Forum
• Berlin’s bizarre new museum (Guardian article)
• ROCKAMORA over the years
• ROCKAMORA at Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE) 10 June – 12 August 2023, 11am-4pm Tues-Sat, free entry
• Porter Street Commission
• The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction – Ursula K. Le Guin
• The Bait Fridge
• Slowmango.com / @Slowmango_

See also: ABC Art Works Series 3, Episode 19

Image: photo of Kaspar by Emmaline Zanelli, courtesy of ACE

Music: Blob Funk – Slowmango, 2023, Hypercolour Miscellaneous, courtesy of Kaspar

In this episode, Steph catches up with artist Kasia Tons in her cosy Adelaide Hills studio. They talk about her early days in the textile industry, the labour-intensive nature of her work, and how her work calls for a re-examining of the human relationship to nature.

Show notes:

• Transcript (pending)
• One Year Dress project
• Guildhouse Collections Project
• Biotic Commune at the Museum of Economic Botany
• @PussyRiot
• GuerrillaGirls.com
• Future Materials Bank
• @fashion_for_bank_robbers
• @Kasia.Tons on Instagram
• kasiarosetons.com