Cause & Effect: Artists for Social Change (Launch Night & Artist Showcase)

Andrea Srisurapon’s practice is centered on cross cultures and what it means to have two cultures as part of your identity. Drawing on our Australian political history, racism and personal experiences, Andrea explores social and cultural inconsistencies in comparison to her own identity as a Thai Australian. Experimenting with her own body, family and cultural adornments, Andrea testifies to how stereotypes within Australian ideology fail to mimic reality. Andrea’s practice is an exploration to the ‘push and pull’ that exists in a cross-cultural identity, and attempts to dissect these issues that reside in our multicultural Australia. Completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts with Honors at Sydney College of the Arts, Andrea Srisurapon has exhibited in various exhibitions in the Sydney and Central Coast regions.

www.andreasrisurapon.com

Mandy is a Blue Mountains based artist working in urban art, photography and community art. She studied photography at the Nepean Arts and Design Centre and participated in an intensive public art workshop lead by New York artist and curator Kendal Henry. Giving a voice to those who need it the most is a strong theme in Mandy’s art, which focuses on social and environmental issues. Mandy believes living in urban environments makes us more removed from nature than ever, and that this disconnection allows us to not care or notice that many species are disappearing from the face of the earth.

www.mandyschoenesalter.com

Marwa believes that art is a medium that should be used to communicate strong messages of truth in a world where media platforms censor, twist and shape stories to attract a particular audience. Her works have been displayed in various exhibitions including Campbelltown Arts Centre Fisher's Ghost Art Award and the Sydney Downing Centre. In 2011, Marwa was selected as one of eight women across Australia to participate in an open themed project for the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre called ‘No Added Sugar’.

Miriam established MLC Powerhouse Design Studio in 1993 and launched MLC Gallery in 2004. Her art and artistic practice are emblematic of cross-cultural understanding and respect for human rights. Cabello’s oil paintings emerge from these themes and are exquisitely realised in her iconic bodies of work: White Rope, The Pugilist Passion and The first 911-The Chilean Military Coup. Recently, Miriam won the EOI to launch her new studio/gallery at 5 Eliza, Newtown. The inaugural exhibition, ‘Layering Black’ examines the #BlackLivesMatter protests in the USA and will coincide with ‘Cause & Effect’, part of Vivid Ideas. Cabello has been acknowledged nationally and internationally with over 25 awards for her contribution to art, education, and cross-cultural engagement. 

www.mlcdesign.com.au

Born in a tropical rainforest country in Malaysia, Sherine is strongly influenced by the local flora and fauna of the country. She is passionate about using her art in painting, craftwork, knitting and origami to address environmental destruction and animal extinction. Mainly targeted towards children, she uses origami to educate the young about climate change. She has a Masters in Design (Multimedia) from UNSW, and currently works in advertising, digital and multimedia in Sydney. Sherine has previously exhibited at Converging Latitudes at Warringah Creative Space, NB Group Maker and The Other ArtFair at the Commune.

www.saatchiart.com/sherinetan

Tia Kass, a second-generation Greek-Australian, is an artist and illustrator based in Melbourne. He and his artistic expressions became heavily politicised first through the Melbourne street art scene, which he is still very much active in. Then, the search for political and philosophical clarity led him to become involved in grassroots activism. These experiences continue to shape his work on socio-political issues as he depicts topics in a highly stylised manner, wanting the artwork to be bold, intelligent and witty, yet remain aesthetically pleasing and unique in their approach.

Eleanor is a Filipino Australian poet, performer, arts producer and community radio broadcaster. Two-time winner of the Midsumma Poetry Out Loud slam and National Poetry Slam finalist, Eleanor’s performance writing has featured at an extensive range of arts and writers’ festivals across Australia. Her poems have been published in Australian and international journals.

She has curated the spoken word component of the Brisbane Emerging Arts Festival, coordinated the Brisbane Fringe Festival poetry/performance program and is a Board member of the Queensland Poetry Festival. Currently she is the poetry editor and editor in chief for the online magazine, Peril Magazine, which considers and promotes Asian Australia creative culture.

www.eleanorjjackson.com