Creativity: Behind 'The Life of a Muppet' by Beci Culley

"When did we begin to rely on other people rather than our own discernment to figure out the truths in circumstances?" asks Brisbane artist Beci Culley. "To be misguided by other people’s voices becomes a life of many wandering roads, continually trying to get back on the right one. This illustration demonstrates this behaviour. I have called it The Life Of A Muppet, as people who live their lives like this are continually tied to other people's misconceptions (hence the string) with their feet clearly off the ground. Let’s start to believe in ourselves and begin to trust that still small voice in the belly of our souls."

Beci Culley, "creating life through art", Beci.com.au

Fashademic: Falling in love (with the thesis) again

I do not usually feel stale about my work, nerds. More for me is the hushed triumphant hissing of 'yessss!' in the ARC as I discover that some theorist I've been avoiding (too hard basket) actually nails the exact thing I'm seeing online (hey Bourdieu, hey Husserl, what's happening?). 

More for me the awkward and supremely unattractive victory dancing in the kitchen when I've written a paragraph which is particularly good (if I do say so myself). Less for me the dull-eyed gaze at books I don't want to open or the lacklustre contemplation of chapters that really need to be worked on but... But I have dabbled in this malaise before and here's what I've got: you just have to get on with it.

This does not mean dragging your feet reluctantly through your work, hating every moment; not at all. It means picking up your pen, rereading and retracing your way back to, if not inspiration, motivation. I must remember that I chose this topic (style blogs, obvz) for a reason – I need to remember what that reason was. And I need to re-engage with style blogs.

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Book Shelf: This Way to Spaceship by Rhys Darby

Made famous by his role as Murray in the cult hit Flight of the Conchords, and also by his role as Norman alongside Jim Carrey in the Hollywood blockbuster Yes Man, Rhys Darby has fast become a household name. However, the journey hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the New Zealand born comic, as he reveals in his new book This Way to Spaceship. 

Self-described as ‘a handy autobiographical end-of-the-world companion’, This Way to Spaceship seems ultimately a good excuse for the telling of Darby’s favourite childhood anecdotes - not that we’re complaining. The main theme of his latest work being how to make it onto the VIP spaceship the ‘government’ (which government we are not informed of…it’s THAT secret) is most obviously working on in case of the predicted Armageddon of 2012. Though this thread is quite haphazardly intertwined throughout the book, Darby kindly guides us on how to ‘make it’ and subsequently be invited aboard one of these lifesaving arks. 

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Thinkings: Advertising's appeal to pride and fear

Thinkings: Advertising's appeal to pride and fear 

"Todd Sampson never fails to deliver on one particular thing with every episode of Gruen - that of 'fear' - the all consuming, underpinning emotion that drives a truckload of consumer purchase decisions. In fact, he reckons 99 per cent of advertising utilises fear in this way and he unfailingly refers to it in each episode. The fear of not being cool enough, pretty enough, strong enough, wealthy enough... or in the case of last night's installment, the fear of being embarrassed, as only women can be... is the thing that tugs at the insecurities of viewers and is of great psychological interest to us, not to mention advertisers." 

- Sonia Caeiro, editor, Australian Creative magazine.

The Occasional Shopper: A little European treasure

On a recent trip to Europe, I was fortunate enough to experience the Christmas markets that Germany is ever so famous for. Aimlessly wandering through these markets – with an array of sights, sounds and smells enveloping your senses – is an instant highlight and a 'must-do' for that time of year.  

It was on one of these adventures, at the markets in Frankfurt (whilst browsing endless stalls lined with winter woolies, Christmas decorations and every kind of German sausage) that I stumbled upon a stall full of trinkets and rings. Among them was this delightful little find. 

This simple, silver plated band, with its dainty floral design, has surely captured my heart. Costing only €6.50 (AUD $8.32), the newest addition to my jewelry collection was an amazing snatch! 

Brooke @ Girl With a Satchel.

Snapshot: Graph Cafe, Thailand

The tiny Graph Cafe with its unusually green patch of lawn tucked away on the back streets of Sangkhlaburi stands out remarkably from its surrounds, so much so that you can't pass it by without having a look inside. 

The interior is filled with the artwork and photography of its owner who sits below his postcards, each one hand-crafted and painted. I sat by an open window, enjoying the light breeze and a deliciously sweet banana smoothie, all the while listening to jazz music in the background and perusing the gorgeous cards and notebooks. The beautiful photography, framed around the cafe, can also be seen in a mini-gallery space out the back. It's clear that he has a very thoughtful and considered viewpoint as an artist, as if the cafe itself isn't testament to that.

Sophie @ Girl With a Satchel

Music School: Florence and the Machine

Image courtesy of my trusty iPhone

If you haven’t heard of the band Florence & the Machine, it may be apparent that you have been living under a rock, or in some other form of pop-culture hibernation. Becoming a worldwide hit in 2009 after the release of their first album Lungs (for those hipsters out there, the love affair may have begun even earlier) the British band, with front-man-girl Florence Welsh, ended their Australian Ceremonials tour at the Riverstage in Brisbane.

With much eager anticipation, a friend and I landed ourselves a pretty good position and waited for the songstress to grace us with her presence. A little over the top? I think not, for it is Welsh's overly theatrical and flamboyant demeanor that is most captivating about the fiery red-head.

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Occupation | Bec Andersen: Textile Artist

Bunting lines the leafy driveway that leads past a beautifully worn weatherboard house. At the end of this driveway, just beyond the papier-mâché kookaburras perched on the gate, sits Brisbane-born Bec Andersen on the balcony of her artist’s studio. 

It’s a wonderful space. Bundles of wool hang from rafters above shelves of spooled wool in an assortment of colours. Beautiful little windows allow soft beams of light to gently rest on woven baskets overflowing with even more wool. At the centre of all of this stands a huge frame stretched with material, a design inked on its fibres and small sections of wool woven between its threads  – this is where the magic happens. 

Bec Andersen is a textile artist specialising in hand-tufted rugs. Bec says she’s into functional art, as English textile designer William Morris said, “Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful”. Her rugs are beautiful, but they’re to be walked on as well.

Bec’s first encounter with rug making came fresh out of university after studying a degree in Industrial Design at QUT. She had moved into a cold little garage floored with tiles (not so great in winter) and set about cutting, arranging and patching squares of carpet to help keep her little home warm. Though this is a far cry from the beautiful creations she makes today, it was during this time of renovation that she learnt about tufting, and the rest, as they say, is history.

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The Satchel Review - 26th May 2012

By Liz Burke

It was a big week for entertainment, launching show-biz calendar highlights the Cannes film festival, billboard music awards, and a few film premieres. But the first popcorn-worthy moment for those with a penchant for politics came early in the week with cross-bench MP Craig Thomson delivering his defence speech to Parliament at midday on Monday.

Eyes were glued to the screen, but as the speech billed at 15 to 30 minutes carried on for almost an hour, some of those would have had to be kept open with match sticks.

"Thommo" used the time allocated to him to defend accusations of misusing health services union funds mostly to lash out at the media, the Opposition, and his former colleagues, while also giving an oration of his CV to let his audience know what a great bloke he is.

He skimmed over details in defending allegations against him. But for all his efforts to quell the controversy, the plot would only thicken.

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The Middle Brow - Divorce Culture

 

By Emma Plant

Have you noticed the bevy of television shows lately that cater for a divorced culture? I don’t mean a culture divisive in itself, rather popular culture that reflects the high divorce rates of our society.

Prime time is the ultimate time to showcase what the ‘modern family’ looks like (ahem…Modern Family…perfect example). This portrait, if you will, depicts the family unit as an amalgamation of broken hearts, second chances, independent relationships and cohabitation for better (but not for the worse). 

This has effectively reduced stigma around non-traditional family models, but the bright lights of the media also over-power the shadows; darkness and the really ‘icky’ side of divorce and family break down. 

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Arts, Culture & Entertainment - 24th May 2012

READ
Excitement! Anthology magazine's latest issue is out, and the theme? "Whit & Whimsy".

Anthology magazine is the independent product of two creatives who were unable to accept that readers no longer wanted to hold something tangible in their hands. Each issue is conceived as a collection of stories all centred around a theme, printed on more than 120 pages of eco-friendly matte stock - it really is a treat! In this latest issue you can expect to find a round-up of products that will hopefully bring a smile to your face, a road trip through California, and a spread titled "Anatomy of Ice Cream". To top it all off with an extra sprinkle of joy, you can watch the latest issue's very own trailer here, oh wah! 


Somewhat on the topic of reading, Anna Funder's book All That I Am has been announced as the winner of the Barbara Jefferis Award for 2012. The award is offered each year for the "the best novel written by an Australian author that depicts women and girls in a positive way or otherwise empowers the status of women and girls in society". All That I Am describes the dark days that build towards the second world war in the lives of German political exiles at home and in London. In narrator Ruth Blatt and her cousin Dora Fabian, Funder creates two complex and fascinating heroines who pursue the possibilities, and suffer the consequences of, both action and inaction in times of great peril. Steeped in a little-known area of modern history, this novel explores the nuances of the committed political life, friendship and love, and the broader human qualities of passion and idealism.

LISTEN
The Temper Trap have released their second self-titled album, telling their Australian fans "We are really excited that you guys finally get to hear the record. It feels like we've been away from you all for so long now. We've put our hearts and souls into these new tracks and we are really proud of the way the album has turned out - we hope you all dig it too." The album peaked at #1 on the Australian iTunes chart just moments after its release and the feedback from around the world has been immensely positive. Kudos, boys! 

THE ARTS

The Fifth Human Rights Arts & Film Festival is currently underway in Melbourne until the 27th May, when it will start moving around the rest of the country. The festival provides a shared site where artists, human rights organisations and the Australian public are united in their desire to contribute to social change. It celebrates artists who explore the complex issue of human rights and are motivated by a desire to contribute a new, creative voice to the debate.

    "HRAFF recognises that human rights issues can be overwhelming, and aims not only to raise awareness, but also to redirect the debate towards a more positive and productive outcome. The message we hope to transmit is one focused on change, inspiration, passion, creativity, inclusion, and most of all, possibility." 

EVENT

Sydney's Vivid Ideas Festival kicks off after dark tomorrow, lighting up the Opera House sails with a colourful projected artwork by the German design collective URBANSCREEN. Ranked among the top ten global ideas festivals by UK newspaper The Guardian, Vivid Sydney is a major celebration of the creative industries and the biggest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere - attracting over 400,000 attendees last year. With a plethora of happenings until the 11th June, Vivid Sydney is set to be an amazing event.

Dumbo Feather magazine has announced its debut of Dumbo Feather Conversations. Described by the team as "conversations with extraordinary people", the event is essentially a live interview with a very laid-back feel, inclusive of audience interaction and casual networking over nibbles and drinks. The first extraordinary person to take a seat on the 'conversation sofa' is Chad Dickerson - the CEO of handmade e-commerce phenomenon, Etsy. The event will run on the 5th June, from 6pm 'til 8pm at 11 Princes Street, St. Kilda, Melbourne (Dumbo Feather HQ). Click here to book your tickets!

Brisbanites have until the 19th August to step several thousands years back in time at 'the mummy exhibiton'. Starting with a thoroughly interesting 3D movie, Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb is an exhibition from the British Museum which showcases, among other things, four Egyptian mummies. Though not an overly huge exhibition, some of the artefacts that you are able to see and read about are truly amazing - and hey, you get to see four mummies (notably inside their bindings and coffins - no real mummy flesh to be seen).

That's all for now,

Sophie @ Girl With a Satchel.

Genealogy: Saint Mary MacKillop

By Brooke Lehmann

"We must teach more by example than by word"

- Mary MacKillop

A colour portrait of Mother Mary MacKillop
at the Mary MacKillop Chapel in Sydney

Reading Saint Mary MacKillop (or Saint Mary of the Cross) and her story, it is difficult to see past the hardship and injustice that life seemed to throw at her. However, by the same token, her strength and courage is just as remarkable. With a heart and a passion solidified in her faith and love for people, Saint Mary's story is truly inspiring.

Born on the 15th January 1842 in Fitzroy, Victoria, Mary MacKillop was the oldest of eight children – with one brother not making it past eleven months old, she became the oldest of seven. She was raised a Roman Catholic and at the age of eight she received her first communion.

Completely oblivious to the difference she would make in the lives of so many across Australia, MacKillop initially started out as a clerk at 14 years of age. She then continued on to become a teacher, and finally a governess in 1860 for her aunt and uncle in Penola to provide extra income for her struggling family. This is said to be where her passion ignited. Working in rural Australia, she opened her arms and welcomed the other farm children onto the Cameron estate and into her classes to teach.

It wasn’t until 1867, after having already taught in Penola and Portland, when she became the co-founder of a school in Penola alongside her well-known acquaintance Father Julian Edmund Tenison Woods. Not long after the establishment of the school, MacKillop became the first sister, and consequently Mother Superior, of their newly co-founded Order of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.

In her later years she would reflect on this and share the pivotal juncture with her fellow sisters by letter. She wrote, “Twenty-five years ago we kept up St Joseph’s day as the special feast of our proposed institute and little did either of us then dream of what was to spring from so small a beginning…Our poor Father Woods was happy that day, and so was I, but we said little beyond wondering whom God would call to assist us - and how he would make his way clear.”

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