Reaching new heights

Meet three intriguing Australian creatives from one of Sydney’s edgiest galleries, China Heights. Interviewed by Sophie Tedmanson.

BROOKLYN WHELAN PAINTER

Sophie Tedmanson: “When did you first know you wanted to be an artist?”

Brooklyn Whelan: “I guess it was almost inevitable, as I was always drawing and painting as a kid. I experimented with graffiti during high school then taught myself graphic design on the first bubble-shaped iMac and later became an art director. It was like I was constantly trying different avenues for my art. I painted my whole life, but after my first sellout solo show it all became real.” ST: “Where do you get your inspiration?” BW: “I just paint when I get the urge. Different sounds, vibrations and light can trigger me. Also I look up a lot! Australia has such an amazing big sky and living along the coast gives me the perfect platform to view storm fronts moving up. I also listen to a lot of experimental abstracttype hip-hop when I paint.” ST: “How would you describe your art?” BW: “I think my work definitely sits between abstract and realism.” ST: “How do you feel when you are in the middle of creating a new artwork?” BW: “A combination of calm and chaotic. I use acrylics, which means I have to paint pretty fast. It’s mostly good until it doesn’t go my way. Ha!” ST: “You have described your influences as the 80s, skateboarding and sci-fi. Why these genres? Favourite sci-fi film?” BW: “I love Blade Runner. I grew up with that 1980s neon sci-fi vibe. Skateboarding was my other world growing up; it was the catalyst to subcultures that still influence me today. That whole era was rebellious, creative and colourful.” ST: “If you could have an ultimate dinner party with three people, alive or passed away, who would you invite and why?” BW: “I’d say Johnny Cash, Adam Yauch [MCA from the Beastie Boys] and Jackson Pollock, purely for the stories. They’ve all influenced me in one way or another.”

OTIS HOPE CAREY PAINTER

ST: “When did you first know you wanted to be an artist?”

Otis Hope Carey: “I’ve been painting for around about two years now, so I guess in the past year has been around the time that I figured I wanted to be an artist.” ST: “Describe your artistic style.” OHC: “I’d say contemporary Indigenous art.” ST: “You are also a professional surfer; what do you love more, waves or painting?” OHC: “Jeez, that’s a hard one. I’d have to say surfing; it depends on the mood that I’m in.” ST: “What do you feel when you are in the middle of creating a new artwork?” OHC: “With any artwork I do I’m telling a story, so there’s always a sense of sharing when I paint.” ST: “As an Indigenous artist, how important is it to share your culture and connection to country?”

OHC: “I think it’s so important to share as much as I can. I’ve always wanted to share as much as I can about my culture in a really positive, bright, loving way. I guess that’s why I started painting.” ST: “How difficult is it to bridge that gap between telling your traditional stories in a modern, contemporary way?” OHC: “I don’t find it hard at all telling traditional stories in a modern way; it’s actually easier to tell the stories in their broken-down forms, as some things we can and cannot talk about.” ST: “What does home mean to you? And what places in Australia inspire you the most?”

OHC: “Family is everything, family means home. I’ve spent some time out at Uluru and I must say it’s magical out that way. I’m addicted to that red earth – it does things to me. But I’d have to say being on my people’s country around Coffs Harbour feeds me with rich inspiration.” ST: “If you could have an ultimate dinner party with three people, alive or passed away, who would you invite and why?” OHC: “Oh jeez! I’d have to say Dave Chappelle, because he’s a funny bugger; Mac DeMarco, because he’s my favourite musician right now and he’s also a funny bugger; and Jim Carrey, but he has to come to dinner playing the role he played in Ace Ventura Pet Detective.” ST: “What inspires your art?” OHC: “My culture definitely inspires my art. And Mother Earth.” ST: “What do you love most about being an artist?” OHC: “The freedom of expression is a beautiful thing. I love feeling free and careless when I paint.” ST: “What does the future hold for you?” OHC: “Hopefully, happiness and health.” →