Perth Institute Of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is collaborating with Propel Youth Arts WA in association with Perth Festival to offer a creative development opportunity for emerging artists in Perth aged 18-26.
'Still Here' is a lab that privileges the visibility of LGBTQIA+ creatives in Western Australia – including visual artists, theatre makers and writers. Five local artists are working with professional artists, curators and arts workers.
The initial stages of this lab took place in the lead up to the opening of Alchemic, a solo exhibition by the Canadian born, LA based artist Cassils, presented by PICA in association with the Perth Festival. Alchemic is the first Australian presentation of work by this internationally recognised artist, whose practice uses a rigorous engagement with the body as a form of social sculpture.
This lab offers an opportunity to engage with the artist, curators and exhibition team at PICA during the installation of Alchemic and Becoming an Image and experience first-hand how this renowned artist approaches their performance and exhibition based practice.
The lab artists have been engaging in a critical dialogue exploring and developing their own artistic practice in a series of workshops and round tables facilitated by leading artists, curators and arts workers.
The selected artists are:
Patrick Gunasekera - interdisciplinary artist working with performance, theatre and poetry
Ethan Blackburn - photographic investigations around masculinity
Aisyah Aaqil Sumito - printmaking, illustration, sculpture, curation
Samantha Nerida - performer, maker, writer, Associate Producer at Blue Room Theatre, arts administrator
James McMillan - director, writer, theatre maker, physical theatre
Noemie Huttner-Koros - theatre-maker, writer, director, interdisciplinary artist
