MEET RAE SAHELI
What was the inspiration behind your piece for SWELL Sculpture Festival 2022?
I wanted a sculpture that would create movement and space to allow the viewer to feel the magic of the ocean.
What does exhibiting in the 20th year of SWELL Sculpture Festival mean to you?
Community, I love SWELL for how it brings together artists and the community to enjoy art in a relaxed environment with a beautiful backdrop.
What are the three art mediums you couldn’t live without?
Aluminium, copper and encaustic (wax).
What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received?
Be true, tell your own story.
If you could wake up tomorrow in the body of another artist, who would you pick and what would you do?
Georgia O’keeffe, I would love to hang out in her northern New Mexico property painting and exploring the landscape.
What is the best compliment for an artist to receive?
Having people stop and LOOK at your work.
Do you believe in ghosts or have any good unexplainable stories?
I have had 2 experience in my house over the past 6 years, I had a visit from a small boy, once sitting on the end of my bed and 2 years later walking down the hallway.
If you had to get a tattoo of a famous artwork, what would it be?
I don’t think I could get a tattoo of a famous artwork wouldn’t do it any justice.
Do you believe pineapple belongs on a pizza?
Hell No, I love pineapple but not on my pizza.
Do you have a power outfit that you wear while creating?
I surely do, I have a shooting vest/jacket I wear, It has large pockets to hold my ammunition and ear plugs for shooting or its my PJ’s.
If you could travel back to any point in time, when and where would you go and why?
20 years ago to a small country town called Yinnar (Victoria) so I could have a day of painting and talking art with my closest friend and mentor (he has passed).
Is a connection to place important for you and your work?
I found that I gravitate towards the beach/ocean when I need to earth myself, so when creating work for SWELL that’s where my inspiration comes from.
The Author
Joss Smith is an emerging graphic designer based in Tweed Heads, loving everything visual and immersive. Her passion for the creative arts has led her to study a Bachelor of Visual Communication and Graphics. She hopes to balance her love for the arts, culture and nature with her strengths in communication and management to create wicked designs with wicked people.