Dion Parker QLD – Ohhh snap.
What’s your favourite aspect of being an artist?
The freedom to express myself and my emotions, experimenting with different materials and techniques and seeing people engage with my work.
Do you have a favourite material you like to work with?
At the moment it’s bronze. Trusty old pencil and paper will always be the first place most ideas go when they leave my head.
Would you rather share an Uber with Barbara Hepworth or Cornelia Parker or Antony Gormley?
Cornelia Parker.
If you could meet any artist (from the past or present) who would it be?
Hieronymus Bosch, as he was finishing “the garden of earthly delights.” I’d probably say to him, “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
What are you most excited for about SWELL?
Sharing my work with the public and seeing what all the other artists have created.
If you could go anywhere in the world to be inspired where would you go?
Florence.
A world without art would be…
Shithouse.
If you could pick a drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) to describe your style what would it be?
Like drinking fine wine straight from the bottle.
How have you grown as an artist since you started out?
I started taking art seriously around 2011 and I’m the same height I as I was back then. Maybe a little rounder.
Where/how were you inspired to create your SWELL 2020 piece?
Every year I start thinking about what I’m going to submit a while before it’s due. I put it somewhere in the back of my mind, it’s always there but I’m never consciously thinking about it. Then, at some point an idea moves to the conscious part of my brain, fully formed. It’s like it just appears there, usually when I’m doing something fairly uninteresting.
How do you think SWELL Sculpture brings art and the local community together?
It’s such a friendly and inviting environment.
People seem to really enjoy the open air and approachable nature of a lot of the works.
What does SWELL mean to you?
It’s been one of the highlights of my year for the past decade.
Shelby Nelson is confident but still growing as a university student. Studying Public Relations and Business she has found a strong passion for all things events, especially when it comes to the arts industry. Growing up on the Gold Coast she lives and breathes the beachside lifestyle and aims to help showcase people with amazing talents, giving the community not only a chance to appreciate them but have an amazing experience whilst doing so.
Follow her on Instagram @shelbynelson1