MEET PAM WALPOLE & YANNI VAN ZIJL
What was the inspiration behind your piece for SWELL Sculpture Festival 2022?
Throughout COVID lock down more dogs were purchased than in any other other year.
We each walk our dogs daily at Sunshine Beach, it is an off leash dog beach, watching the antics and seeing them interact brings everyone such joy, we wanted to create the same feeling with this work ‘Playtime.’
What does exhibiting in the 20th year of SWELL Sculpture Festival mean to you?
We love SWELL, we love everything about it, the art work, the co-ordinators, the visitors, the opportunity to create site specific work at any scale on a beautiful beach, what’s not to love!
Art forARTsake share the philosophy to bring ART outdoors to the public, people that may not otherwise ever visit a gallery.
Do you have a party trick or impressive icebreaker talent?
We both have a super skill to whip up a mini installation for any occasion! Kerbside pick ups and recycle dump shops always hold an abundance of opportunities, everything has potential when we are around! ( our husbands shake in their boots when we head off together! )
Does music impact your art? What kind of music do you create to?
Pam is partial to a bit of Queen and Elton when she is having an artist block when painting in her studio.
Yanni is like a box of chocolates, jazz or Tibetan chanting, whatever pops up in Spotify.
What is your favourite snack when working on big projects?
Food, what’s that! when you are in the swing of things, eating is not a priority!
Now come 5.00 and an offer of a ChinChin, we rarely say no! ( chinzano )
What is the most important lesson you’ve ever learnt from a mentor?
Pam – To push the envelope, challenge yourself.
Yanni – To be organised, trustworthy, deliver and produce what’s required on time.
Is there a running theme with what you create?
Generally, Art forARtsake’s creed was to create work with an environmental message, but on occasion to make work purely for the sake of ART. We have a reputation for making large scale works with recycled milk bottles, the possibilities with this material is endless.
If you could immediately learn any skill, which would you choose?
Pam – welding…..drums and play the piano
Yanni – glass blowing, singing – even Happy Birthday can be painful.
Does pop culture and modern media impact your work?
No.
Do you have a favourite quote or mantra that you live by?
Like to – but haven’t got around to it!
Which work of art that you have experienced has been the most influential to your practice?
None in particular, but in awe of many. We have both walked through Chiharu Shiota’s installations.
We love the challenge and the encompassing sense from an installation where you become surrounded and interactive with the work.
Now that travel is becoming an option again, where is your next adventure destination?
Crete, actually anywhere where there are less crowds, interesting company, great food and a cool drink.
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.