SALA Podcast

Artist Interview: Elizabeth Close

In this episode, SALA chats to artist Elizabeth Close. Elizabeth talks about the path she took to becoming a visual artist and how her love of art was influenced by her grandmother. She discusses how her work is inspired by other indigenous artists, such as Nyunmiti Burton, and non-indigenous artists like Georgina Hill, and how her practice has become more diverse over the years. She reveals some of her favourite works and the reasons why she holds them in high regard. She talks about her recent recovery from brain surgery and how keen she is to get back into the studio to work on a new cultural sovereignty project that’s in the making.
Finally, she tells listeners where they can find some of her collaborative works around the city of Adelaide, including the mural of Uncle Stevie Gadlabarti Goldsmith on Wright Street.
APY Lands - https://anangu.com.au/
Nyunmiti Burton - AGSA
Yaritji Young - Biennale of Sydney
Blak Douglas https://blakdouglas.com.au/
Karla Dickens - https://www.agsa.sa.gov.au/education/resources-educators/resources-educators-ATSIart/karla-dickens/
Reko Rennie - https://rekorennie.com/
Georgina Hill - https://www.georgiahill.com.au/
More on the skink Tarutharu at the Adelaide Zoo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtbzgfG9SlY
A Blanck Canvas - https://ablanckcanvas.com/
Jack Buckskin – Kaurna language: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCp3_brrD7xr_9N2OxRC1Oz8MfsMok34H
James Chocran – Jimmy C - https://www.akajimmyc.com/Street_Art
The Pride and the Profit -https://www.instagram.com/p/CERC2cZDizH/?img_index=4
Elizabeth and Jimmy C’s mural of Uncle Stevie on Wright Street, Adelaide - https://www.instagram.com/p/CDD3tWvjgD7/
Elizabeth and Thomas Redett’s mural of frogs - https://www.instagram.com/p/CNEtnuZjv_Y/?hl=en&img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/elizabethclosearts/
https://www.facebook.com/elizabethclosearts
Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

SALA Forum with 2025 Feature Artist Dr Sue Kneebone, and monograph writers Nicole Clift, Elle Freak & Andrew Purvis

In this episode recorded at the Adelaide Central School of Art, Suzanne Close talks to 2025 SALA Feature Artist Sue Kneebone, and her monograph writers Nicole Clift, Elle Freak and Andrew Purvis.
They discuss the different approach each writer took in writing their essays, and how each was influenced by different aspects of Sue's work and career, in particular the use of found objects and other materials, and the role her family history has played in her body of work. 
Sue discusses her influences and impulses, and reflects on her colonial settler history and the way it informs her practice, and how she wishes to keep vouching for First Nations voices and environmental awareness.
Show notes:
Sue Kneebone
Elle Freak talks about the Dangerously Modern exhibition
Nicole Clift - https://www.nicoleclift.net/
Andrew Purvis
James Tylor
Sue’s exhibitions:
Naturally Disturbed
The Ceaseless Tide
Pamplemousses Garden
Tamara Baillie
The Great Australian Silence
Kerala
POP Studios
Julie Gough
Photo by Sam Roberts.
Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

Artist Interview: Annette Vincent

For this special SALA podcast episode, Elise from Inspiring South Australia talks to scientist and artist Annette Vincent in her studio garage.
Annette talks about her background in science as a myrmecologist (someone who studies ants) and the path that led her to being an artist, and the work that inspired her 2025 SALA exhibition '15 Years On, Arkaroola Wildlife Sanctuary Revisited'.
She explains how she is driven by the threat of climate change to actively sketch during biodiversity surveys in her role as a volunteer with the Scientific Expedition Group, contributing to a visual history of changing landscapes.
 
Inspiring SA website
Annette Vincent
Gammon Ranges
Underdale College
Arkaroola
Mount Gee
Scientific Expedition Group
Myrmecology
Myrmecia
Georgia O’Keeffe
Gawler Ranges
Sue Kneebone
A video showing the Chine Collé process
 
Photo by Eugene Suleau.
Music I use: Bensound.com
License code: VDH5DVGOFPNHY24Q
Title: Crazy Coffeehouse
Artist:  Lunar Years

SALA Forum with 2024 Feature Artist Julia Robinson, and monograph writers Hannah Kent, Leigh Robb, and Jess Taylor

In this special episode recorded at the Adelaide Central School of Art, Andrew Purvis talks to 2024 SALA Feature Artist Julia Robinson, and her monograph writers Hannah Kent, Leigh Robb, and Jess Taylor.
They discuss the collaborative process that brought the book to fruition, and how each of the writers used Julia’s work as inspiration for their pieces, particularly her interest in folklore, horror themes and feminism. Julia also delves into working with designer Rachel Harris on the visual representation of the monograph.
In the Q&A section, Julia explains how the book was structured around each of the writer’s interests; the process for creating her sculptures; and the significance of dark themes in her art. Finally, Julia discusses the impact of receiving the Feature Artist award, and the influence and importance of SALA Festival on her career and the opportunities it affords all artists.
Show notes:
JuliaRobinson.net
Hannah Kent
Leigh Robb – Instagram
Jess Taylor
Satanic Panic
Tilberi – Icelandic Folklore
The Wicker Man (film, 1973, directed by Robin Hardy)
The Song of Master John Goodfellow
gourd (fruit)
The Gourdfather
Beatrice in the 2020 Adelaide Biennial at Museum of Economic Botany
Rappaccini’s Daughter
Scylla – Greek mythology
Adelaide Central School of Art
Julia’s monograph at Wakefield Press

Artist Interview: Claire Foord

For this special Science Week podcast, presented in partnership with Inspiring SA, SALA talks to Willunga-based artist Claire Foord.
Claire talks about her artistic journey, her inspiration, and the profound impact of her personal experiences on her art.
She delves into how her work has been influenced by a spontaneous bilateral cerebral arterial dissection she suffered three years ago, which serves as the basis for her SALA exhibition 'Occipital’. Claire also shares the story of the stillbirth of her daughter Alfie, and the charity called Still Aware she founded to raise awareness around stillbirth in Australia.
Claire is a finalist in the SALA Inspiring SA Science in Art Award, and The Advertiser Contemporary Art Award.

Artist Interview: Cheryl Bridgart

In this episode, Eugene chats with freestyle embroidery artist Cheryl Bridgart. Cheryl talks about the history of her home/studio at Beltana House on Carrington St in the city, and how her work is inspired by her dreams and her love of the natural world. She shares her excitement at being part of the Lunar Codex program, which will see her work travelling to the moon early next year. Finally, Cheryl speaks of her love of working as a South Australian artist, especially during SALA Festival. 
 
Cheryl's biography
History of Beltana Station.
Guildhouse & Guildhouse Greets
Adelaide Zoo
‘Lose Yourself in Melbourne’ ad
More about the Lunar Codex program
Doctor Samuel Peralta
SpaceX
Cheryl’s episode on Colour in Your Life.
Goolwa, South Australia
Cheryl on Instagram
Cheryl on Facebook
Cheryl’s SALA exhibition
 
Music: Dark Water by Xylo-Ziko
Photo by Jack Fenby

2023 SALA Feature Artist: Helen Fuller

In this episode, Steph catches up with Helen Fuller in the artist’s home studio. Steph asks Helen about the range of mediums she has used over the years, what it’s like to have a book published about her career, and Helen gives context to the artwork that featured on the 2023 SALA Poster & program. They also chat about the influence of family on her artmaking, and the joy of coming home from walks with a pocket full of curiosities. Her exhibition Shedding is on at Adelaide Central Gallery until 27 October 2023.
 
Show notes
Interview Transcript (PDF)
Helen Fuller, Samstag Museum of Art, UniSA, Adelaide Festival 2022 / catalogue
Helen Fuller (book) Wakefield press
SALA Feature Artist: Info / Archive
South Australian Living Artist Publication
Shedding, at Adelaide Central Gallery (until 27 October 2023)
 
Music: Raven Warble - Chad Crouch

Artist Interview: Monika Morgenstern

In this episode, Steph catches up with artist Monika Morgenstern. They chat about the overarching theme of mysticism in her work, and what kind of materials she uses to explore something so intangible. They trace spiritual moments across her life, from childhood awe at Europe’s cathedrals, to the natural splendour of Lake Tyrrell in Australia.
 
Monika.Morgenstern.com/biography
Adelaide Central School of Art
ArtsSA fellowship / Arts & Culture Grants Program
Erni Tinesz (glass artist)
Numinous encounter
Wordless Silence at Barossa Regional Gallery, Mon-Sun 11am-4pm, 26 July – 2 October 2023.
Prima materia [wikipedia]
Jerome Lyons / Cheese Factory Studio Gallery, Meadows SA
Strathalbyn, South Australia
Sea Lake, Victoria
Masonic lodge
THRFG - Creative Health Art Prize 2023
@MonikaMorgensternArt
MonikaMorgenstern.com
Monika on Facebook & YouTube
Monika's work on Shop SALA
 
Music: Dark Water by Xylo-Ziko

Artist Interview: Ian Gibbins

Steph catches up with artist Ian Gibbins in this special science-themed episode presented in partnership with Inspiring SA. They chat about Ian's work as scientist and how it informs his art, and some surprising parallels between the fields of science and art – from the urge to show your work to others to the tedium of failed experiments.
 
Show Notes
IanGibbins.com.au
Chris Wallace-Crabbe
Vincent Buckley
Urban Biology
The Joinery
Ian Gibbins, Beyond the Floodtide
Conservation Council South Australia
Catherine Truman
A Partnership for Uncertain Times: Art + Science + Technology [catalogue]
ANAT / the Australian Network for Art & Technology
Ian Gibbins, dog daze, 2017
 
Image: lo
Music: Ian Gibbins (used with permission)

Artist Interview: Kaspar Schmidt Mumm

In this episode, Steph catches up with multidisciplinary artist Kaspar Schmidt Mumm. They throw back to his mother's artistic influence, and trace that framing of art as a vehicle for bigger things through to his latest exhibition, Rockamora. Tune in to hear why participatory sculpture isn't at all like sitting in the front row of a comedy show, and what Ursula Le Guin has to do with offering chips to bullies.
 
Show Notes:
Interview Transcript (PDF)
KasparSchmidtMumm.com
@Kaspartness (Instagram)
Koruna Schmidt Mumm
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Kaspar’s Painting works
Kaspar’s Paper works
IMMI / IMEMI
Humboldt Forum
Berlin’s bizarre new museum (Guardian article)
ROCKAMORA over the years
ROCKAMORA at Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE)10 June – 12 August 2023, 11am-4pm Tues-Sat, free entry
Porter Street Commission
The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction – Ursula K. Le Guin
The Bait Fridge
Slowmango.com /  @Slowmango_
 
See also: ABC Art Works Series 3, Episode 19
 
Image: photo of Kaspar by Emmaline Zanelli, courtesy of ACE
Music: Blob Funk – Slowmango, 2023, Hypercolour Miscellaneous, courtesy of Kaspar