MEET CAROL LARKE
What was the inspiration behind your piece for SWELL Sculpture Festival 2022?
I consider myself a conceptual artist in that it is the idea that is most important. Often I will work on a piece when trying to make sense of something that has no rational explanation. Then I will work with various mediums to best reflect the ‘why’ question. Working creatively helps to delve deep into a subject.
With Captive I am perplexed why Australian children who as young as ten years old can be held in prisons on remand waiting to be sentenced for any crime. That Australia is the only country where children this young can be incarcerated. So the inspiration for Captive comes from a confronting issue based on a child’s reality of alienation, isolation and othering.
What does exhibiting in the 20th year of SWELL Sculpture Festival mean to you?
Exhibiting in Swell means everything to me. Besides being located in an exquisite seaside location amongst quality artists work, it provides a challenge, a goal with various associated sub goals and an audience to learn from.
If you had to remove one colour from existence, which colour would you choose? Why?
None.
What is your favourite meal to cook when trying to impress someone?
I try not to cook to impress that way I don’t have to cook too often, however, last time I was praised for cooking was for a peach, maple syrup and cashew cake. That was a long time ago.
You’ve been transported into a fictional world of your choosing. Which book, movie, or TV show would it be?
Don’t Look Up. Mostly to hang out with Kate Blanchett but also because I would like to yell “Look Up,” our lives depend on it.
What do you wish you knew about being an artist before you started creating?
Be committed, work every day and trust that your hands know what they are doing. Feelings of frustration coupled with self doubt is all part of the equation, except that and get back to work.
What tools would you use to manage creative burnout?
Keep things in balance by maintaining relationships, exercise and spend time in nature.
How would your friends describe you?
A bit erratic and impulsive. I would like to think loveable also.
What is your favourite part of the creative process?
Always, without fail I get to a point where I want to throw out whatever I’m working on. I am convinced that it is absolute rubbish and I can’t do it. That is always a hurdle that has to be jumped but once over the other side there is a pleasant landing ground.
Where do you do most of your creating? Is it from a backyard, a studio, or a kitchen bench, or other?
Lounge room floor.
What is the strangest food combo that you love?
Pizza made with fruit chutney instead of tomato paste.
What is your favourite Karaoke song? Do you have a music genre that always inspires you?
Karaoke song: Running Up That Hill. Music Genre: Middle Eastern Surf with rollicking Arabic beats.
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.