"Everything I’ve done always affects
the next thing I do, and in ways I don’t imagine.
It’s very unpredictable and always more than
I’d hoped for. It’s just one highlight
after another."
the next thing I do, and in ways I don’t imagine.
It’s very unpredictable and always more than
I’d hoped for. It’s just one highlight
after another."
It’s late morning on dry season day and I’m being drawn towards a hidden shop. As I walk down a red carpet, I find myself at the door to another realm. Two women sit at a table: one is having coffee, while the other looks as relaxed as a cat on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I walk through the pop-up shop and inquire as to whether the wooden chairs are for sale.
Anna, who is undertaking a
Masters in Visual Art, says that her post-grad research gave her "a perfect reason to go into hardcore production exploring online
production and digital output modes".
She produced repeatable motifs across different cloth and media, resulting in the items now for sale in her pop-up shop.
She produced repeatable motifs across different cloth and media, resulting in the items now for sale in her pop-up shop.
Reynolds’ shop includes a
range of clothes sympathetic to the Darwin climate. It also sells furniture by Rex
Maxwell and Colin Holt.
Cordelia: Who or what inspired you to follow this path of a becoming an artist?
Anna: I have always thought of myself as an
artist since I was very small. My
grandmother was an artist. It’s quite possible that I was just in the right
environment. It is just what I do. You have to make it work for you. I’m really
lucky: I have a really supportive family.
Cordelia: How did you get through days when
you felt you had no inspiration or motivation to create these pieces?
Anna: I don’t really struggle for ideas, it’s
more the motivation [that's sometimes tricky] – just maintaining a balance within life between family,
relaxation and creating. If you work hard, it should be rewarding no matter
what you’re doing.
Cordelia: I read that you won the 2010 Qantas
Foundation Encouragement of Contemporary Art Award. What emotions did you have
when you won?
Anna: Happiness and disbelief at the same time – actually after the initial buzz wore off [there] was a lot of organising involved. I spent six
months planning what I’d do for the next year. I was excited by all the
anticipation surrounding the potential to work and travel while making art, and
also the idea of immersing myself in a creative, broader context.
Cordelia: You must have been stoked to travel for
art. Did travelling influence you and the art you make?
Anna: Definitely, I was really making work
about Darwin and local issues before. When I travelled, it was the realisation
that what was happening in Darwin is very relevant globally. It’s interesting
because the further people are away from the big city hubs the more likely they
are to be online shopping and searching.
When I was in NYC my online banking habits were seen as a bit weird by locals. It was interesting travelling. It always is! I sold work and met people. It was a really good thing to do.
When I was in NYC my online banking habits were seen as a bit weird by locals. It was interesting travelling. It always is! I sold work and met people. It was a really good thing to do.
Cordelia: How did the idea of using linen, cotton
and hemp arise?
Anna: It’s so hot here. They’re the only
fabrics, in my opinion, that are really nice to wear in the heat. It was really
about the Darwin climate and creating a cloth that
located Darwin in a cultural context.
Cordelia: What are your greatest highlights of
your career to date?
Anna: Definitely this shop. Actually
everything I’ve done always affects the next thing I do, and in ways I don’t
imagine. It’s very unpredictable and always more than I’d hoped for. It’s just
one highlight after another – they just keep rolling!!
Cordelia: Do you have any advice for young
upcoming artists?
Anna: Work hard and take yourself seriously.
What:
Mangrove
Esperanto
Where:
The Gallery
Darwin Entertainment Centre
When:
Mon 5–Fri 30 August
Mon–Fri 10am–5.30pm
Open Weekends and late when
Festival shows are on at Darwin Entertainment Centre
Entry:
FREE
More info:
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