We Asked Lyn Hadden 12 Interesting Questions About Herself.
What was the inspiration behind your piece for SWELL Sculpture Festival 2023?
I created Blue Butterfly Effect in response to my own feelings of eco-anxiety. Climate change has forced many of us to consider how we (humanity) contribute to the changes taking place in the environment around us. This can be overwhelming and very depressing. Even if we are initially motivated to make changes on an individual level, it can seem pointless because the problem is so big, so urgent, and it needs to be addressed by everyone.
I wanted to create an uplifting artwork to remind people that every small action has a flow on effect, a butterfly effect. So, don’t give up.
SWELL is all about connecting people, art and place, how does your work help connect people, art and place?
The most important feature of Blue Butterfly Effect is its interactivity. It’s incomplete without the presense of people to initiate a response from the work. It also relies on the natural setting and would be a completely different work indoors.
This is why I love public art. It encourages people to engage with both the artwork and the location in different ways to usual. It can feel more accessible than a gallery and allows your work to be viewed by a varied audience.
You walk into a bar… what’s the first drink you order?
Mississippi Lemonade. Tuaca, Southern Comfort and lemonade. Yummo.
What is your favourite meal to cook when trying to impress someone?
If I was trying to impress someone… I wouldn’t be cooking for them.
What advice do you have for emerging artists?
Try not to compare yourself to other artists or be put off by negative feedback.
It’s easier said than done, I know. But try to use it to inspire and motivate.
What was your first artwork? How did it inspire you to grow?
It wasn’t my first artwork, but one of my first artworks at uni. I made a large stalagmite and stalactites sculpture out of milk bottle plastic. My daughter was working for McDonalds at the time and would bring home garbage bags full of empty milk bottles for me to use. It got me thinking about the vast amounts of waste materials that are disposed of each day and how I could utilise them in my art. I have gone on to make many works from waste materials, but it has also made me more mindful of the waste I generate and choosing materials that are recyclable or biodegradable.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the creation of your artwork?
Not being able to do it all myself.
I was very lucky to have the help of my husband, David, to make the technical aspects of the butterflies work. He’s a software engineer, with experience in robotics, electrical and mechanics. A MacGyver.
I would not have been able to do this work without his help.
If animals could talk, which one would you want to talk to?
My labradoodle puppies, Luna and Marshall.
Luna is very intelligent, so I’d love to know what she’s thinking.
Marshall on the other hand… I suspect there’s not a lot goin’ on up there.
Lucky he’s pretty.
In your opinion, how can artists support each other?
Encourage each other throught the highs and lows.
The highs are usually easy if you are relatively active in your art community. Showing up at exhibitions, being active on each others social media.
It’s the lows that are more difficult. It’s like friendships, if you haven’t seen or heard from someone in a while, touch base. Organise an arty outing.
If you were stranded on a desert island, but food, water and shelter weren’t an issue, what are the 3 things you would take with you and why?
Obviously, an emergency beacon – I am not made for desert islands.
My husband, for company and to MacGyver anything we might need while we await rescue.
Migraine medication – god knows I would need it with all that heat and sunlight.
If you weren’t an artist, what would your profession be?
Maybe something to do with animals.
Do you have a favourite song you like to play when working on your art?
Not one song, there are way too many favourites.
If I was choosing an album, my absolute fave is Jeff Buckley’s ‘Grace’.
