art

To restore our economy, Australian cities should embrace culture and imagination by Tom Oliver Payne

Covid-19 has sent Australia’s creative industries into distress, and the damage has been severe. More than half of the jobs (53%) in this sector ceased to function during lockdowns, resulting in hundreds of thousands of job losses across Australian cities. But what if we actively invest in making places more unique, exciting and creative? Could we make domestic travel more appealing – or even – make Australian cities the envy of the world?

Thought-piece I’ve written for RobertsDay - you can read online here.

Perth artist Matt Adnate’s work of celebrates Aboriginal culture. Photo courtesy Juddy Roller/Nicole Reed.

Perth artist Matt Adnate’s work of celebrates Aboriginal culture. Photo courtesy Juddy Roller/Nicole Reed.

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From screen to street: the photography project putting imagery in the public eye by Tom Oliver Payne

Photographer

Nicholas Gascoine spent his mid 20's in New York City. There, he would work alongside some of the most prominent fashion photographers, often flying to exotic locations. The move back to Australia had followed an exciting period of work, and Gascoine found the body of water lapping onto Sydney's Eastern beach fronts restorative. 

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A conversation with Jess Cook of Sydney's 107 Projects by Tom Oliver Payne

Jess Cook has been involved in a range of events and creative projects over the last 15 years. From running collaborative art events and helping to manage large-scale festivals, her latest endeavour is arguably the most ambitious. As Founding Member and Managing Director of Sydney’s 107 Projects, she’s been integral in creating an impressive cultural space in central Sydney. In addition to housing exhibitions, dance classes, theatre performances, artists’ in residence, horticulture, cooking and workshops spaces, 107 has become host to some of Sydney’s most prominent creative organisations and projects. Collaborations include FBI’s Ears Have Ears, Heaps Gay, Groove Therapy and The Bower, to name just a few.

Jess recently showed me around 107, talking about the space itself, as well as creative spaces, more generally. 

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Interview with Sydney busker, Kane Muir by Tom Oliver Payne

Having played music on streets across the world, at 29 years old, busker and musician Kane Muir has experienced a life unique to most. Before he embarks on his next stint in Los Angeles, I caught up with him to talk cities, warehouse-living and the busking lifestyle.

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