Category: Ten Questions

This monthly artist interview series offers a glimpse into the creative minds shaping the contemporary art world.

The format centres around 10 thoughtfully curated questions, designed for a quick and candid about about their work, artistic journey, and perspectives on life and the evolving art landscape.

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10 Questions – Charlotte Ward

After discovering the glassblowing studio at Monash University in the final year of Charlotte Ward’s bachelor’s degree, she realised her sculptural practice was about to take a new direction. Initially captivated by the use of light as a medium, she found hot glass to be a uniquely malleable material—one that could bend and direct light in unexpected ways—expanding her installation work into a new realm.

This discovery led her to explore other forms of glassmaking, including stained glass and kiln-forming techniques at Melbourne Polytechnic, as well as neon workshops at Cole’s Neon Shop in Bayswater. Ward is currently involved with various glassblowing studios around Melbourne and has previously worked in several studios across South-East Queensland.

She finds great joy in the inherent difficulty of the medium and embraces the rewarding challenge of developing a glass practice. Through this exploration, Ward has become part of the broader Australian glass community—an experience that has further affirmed her chosen path.

With the foundation of Charlotte Ward’s work rooted in the use of light, her practice draws inspiration from the experience of perception. This concept is deeply influenced by artists such as James Turrell and Olafur Eliasson, whose explorations of light and space have expanded her understanding of what installation art can be.

Beyond these artistic influences, Ward finds inspiration in patterns found in nature, the mystery of the subconscious, and the universal life force from which all things emerge.

Work of art you would love to see? Roden Crater by James Turrell

Last exhibition you went to? Speculative Future by Billy Crellin at Craft Victoria

If you had a spare $5000, what Australian pieces would you buy? One of Harriet Schwarzrock’s plasma hearts

Which living Australian artist do you admire? All the glass artists just trying to do their thing

Best advice from a teacher/mentor? Look twice as much as you draw

One piece of advice you’d give your younger self? Don’t let others disrupt your path

What are you currently reading? In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté

Are you binge watching anything? Couples Therapy on SBS

Your go to art website? Olafur Eliasson’s website – olafureliasson.net + The Corning Museum of Glass – cmog.org

Latest inspo? patterns in nature, music and energy

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10 Questions – Carolyn Cardinet

Carolyn Cardinet is a French-born artist who has been living and working in Australia since 1987. This body of work began during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Victoria—a time of stillness and reflection that marked a new chapter in her creative journey. During this period, she began experimenting with found blue polypropylene baling twine, a material she had never worked with before. What emerged was a deep exploration of form, colour, and environmental consciousness.

Driven by a longstanding concern for the planet and the future left for the next generation, Carolyn’s practice is rooted in sustainability. She collects discarded plastics from beaches, laneways, and urban environments—materials often overlooked or dismissed as rubbish—and transforms them into sculptural forms. Her intention is to shift perception: to invite viewers to see these discarded remnants not as waste, but as potential treasures that carry stories and can be reimagined into elegant, thoughtful art.

Work of art you would love to see? Not anything in particular go back to the Venice Biennale

Last exhibition you went to? The Counihan Gallery

Favourite snack while creating? Raspberries

Which living Australian artist do you admire? Anselm Kiefer

What made you last laugh out loud? Bhapi my Netherland dwarf bunny

Best advice from a teacher/mentor? Frustration means you are passionate in trying to get the result you want

One piece of advice you’d give your younger self? Don’t rush it’s a journey

What are you currently reading? Not reading listening to ABC arts

Are you binge watching anything? Secrets we Keep on Netflix

Last thing you Googled? Applications to exhibit at the Counihan gallery

Your go to art website? Yes via Instagram if something sparks my interest

Latest inspo? Lenses

A rule you always break? Take a break

Favourite emoji? LOL & Thinking

 

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10 Questions – Nani Puspasari

Based in Naarm (Melbourne), Nani Puspasari is a multidisciplinary artist working across ceramics, painting, illustration, sculpture, and installation. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from RMIT University and has exhibited in Australia and internationally. Her work has been part of artist residencies in South Korea, Austria, and Japan. She has also been selected as a finalist in the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize and Muswellbrook Art Prize.

Nani’s work explores cultural identity, migration, and memories, blending her Eastern heritage with contemporary art. Through playful, bold, and surreal forms, she captures nostalgia, longing, and transformation with symbolism, humour, and storytelling. Her work expresses emotion through subtle, abstract, and poetic sensibility, infused with naïve charm.

Work of art you would love to see?
Original drawings by Marcel Dzama and Henry Darger.

Last exhibition you went to?
Floribunda at Bunjil Place.

Favourite snack while creating?
Gummy bears and rice crackers.

If you had a spare $5000, what Australian pieces would you buy?
Painting by Del Kathryn Barton or ceramic sculpture by Vipoo Srivilasa.

Which living Australian artist do you admire?
Del Kathryn Barton—her painting details are incredibly poetic.

What made you last laugh out loud?
My own silliness—too many small accidents to count.

Best advice from a teacher/mentor?
Take action and knock on doors—don’t wait for things to come to you.

One piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
Just start. Don’t wait for perfection—it never really arrives.

What are you currently reading?
How to Become a Successful Artist by Magnus Resch.

Are you binge watching anything?
When Life Gives You Tangerines on Netflix—heart-warming family stories.
Also Friends (watched it more than 20x as background while creating art)

Last thing you Googled?
Viscosity—a pottery term.

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10 Questions – Denise Keele-bedford

Beginning with private art lessons, Denise Keele-Bedford went on to complete a Diploma of Art, a Bachelor of Art, and ultimately a Master of Fine Art at RMIT University.

She has been the recipient of several artist-in-residence programs, including Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon and, more recently, La Maison de Barbara in Turkey. Keele-Bedford’s work is represented in Looking Down Under: Imago Mundi – Luciano Benetton Collection and When You Think About Art: The Ewing & George Paton Galleries 1971–2008.

In partnership with Fed Square, she presented Deep Blue Crossing in Fracture Gallery during Multicultural Month in 2021. Most recently, two of her artworks were selected for the 2024 Yarra Valley Arts/Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition.

Work of art you would love to see?  Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party all that symbolism and honouring of women makes it a significant artwork in modern history.

Last exhibition you went to? Yayoi Kusama at NGV, 3rd time and discovered new things with each visit.

Favourite snack while creating? Nuts, walnuts and pistachios, quick, easy, nutritious.

If you had a spare $5000, what Australian pieces would you buy? After having collected many 2D artworks, my current interest is in 3D artworks, recently enjoying the rabbit series by a young artist, Hannah Gartside, recycling gloves. Saw her work at Melbourne Art Fair and would enjoy one of the dancing bunnies.

Which living Australian artist do you admire? I have admired Janet Laurence’s work for many years. I like to get close and intimate with her layered pieces that delve into environments melding natural science with the ethereal world.

What made you last laugh out loud? Chicken videos on Instagram. Don’t you just love that they love hugs, dressing up and swings.

One piece of advice you’d give your younger self?  Enjoy the play of creativity.

What are you currently reading? Lowitja – the authorised biography of Lowitja O’Donoghue by Stuart Rintoul, I like biographies and this one I recommend. An inspirational woman.

Are you binge watching anything? Just finished all episodes of Pose!! A story that goes full circle while moving through the most torturous and heart wrenching times of HIV Aids.

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10 Questions – Tracey Lamb

Tracey Lamb lives and works in Naarm/Melbourne. She has an MFA from Monash University (2018) and a BA (Visual Art) Hons from the VCA (2013). She has exhibited throughout Australia and has shown work in Milan, Berlin, and England.

Tracey completed a major public artwork for the City of Maribyrnong, Melbourne (2023). In 2024 she was a finalist in the RAW Art Prize, the Omnia Art Prize, Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award, The Wollombi Valley Sculpture Biennial Award, and Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition.

Tracey Lamb’s practice is influenced by mid-century architecture and design, evolving into a distinct style of abstraction. Lamb’s work references memories and emotions tied to the various homes she has lived in throughout life. Through a combination of intuition and intention, Lamb’s practice revolves around the manipulation of abstract geometries, with a focus on the interplay of positive and negative space.

Work of art you would love to see?  
Lindy Lee’s Ouroboros in Canberra.

Last exhibition you went to?  
Intermission by Kate Stewart,  A Third Space by Cathy Muhling & Nanou Dupuis and Minimal Reductive curated by Aaron Martin, all at Five Walls, Footscray.

If you had a spare $5000, what Australian pieces would you buy?
A painting by Eleanor Butt, Marina Strocchi or Sue Beyer.

Which living Australian artist do you admire?
There are many artists, but here are three – Emily Floyd, Sean Meilak and Kathy Temin.

What made you last laugh out loud?  
I’m Every Woman, by Leanne Morgon on Netflix

One piece of advice you’d give your younger self?  
Stay in school 

What are you currently reading?  
What I Ate In One Year [and related thoughts] by Stanley Tucci. 

Are you binge watching anything?  
My Brilliant Friend, a stunning Italian drama on SBS on Demand.

Last thing you Googled?  
The status of Cyclone Alfred.

Latest inspo?  
I host an Instagram page called @thisis_nota_mandate where I post the creative practices of women and non-binary artists. I’m constantly inspired by the amazing work artists allow me to share, which is so often created between the many caring, emotional, paid and unpaid duties we juggle. 

Exhibition Catalogue
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10 Questions – Kirsty Manger

10 Questions with Kirsty Manger

Kirsty Manger was formally trained at the Canberra School of Art and mentored by Neville French at the School of Clay, Melbourne. Kirsty has honed her craft into a distinctive practice where she specialises in developing and producing conceptual works with high-quality, beautifully refined forms with surfaces that tell a story. Her sculptural works, inspired by the textures and rhythms of the ocean and coastline, blend wheel throwing and hand-building techniques to evoke the raw beauty of nature. Her practice is driven by sustainability, incorporating locally sourced clay and kitchen waste material in her glazes to create striking, environmentally conscious art works.

Work of art you would love to see?  
Just 3 of a long list… 
– The Black Pueblo pottery of Maria Martinez  
– The Architectural ceramics of Edoardo Vega (Spain), Los Totems.  
– Andy Goldsworthy’s work

Last exhibition you went to?  
I was in at The Hive Gallery, Ocean Grove today and saw the very beautiful Phillip Butters exhibition as well as many other fabulous artworks including sculptures by Beatrice Magalotti and Will Wilson, paintings by Wayne Elliot, Jane Millington, Georgi Gall, Margarette Delahunty Spencer and ceramics by Karen Steenbergen, Chris Hawke and Sophia Legoe. 

Favourite snack while creating?  
Smoked almonds, dark chocolate coated ginger and dried mango- yummy 

If you had a spare $5000, what Australian pieces would you buy? 
All of the Artists mentioned! It’s lovely revisiting galleries and getting to know the Artists. It gives the work so much more meaning.  
I recently discovered the innovative work of Zena Hollaway – I would love one of her under water photographs and one of her mycelium artworks. Oh and one of her lamps.  

Which living Australian artist do you admire?  

Two artists have really  inspired me this year. Amy Kennedy’s artwork is sublime and I’m currently doing her Evolve program which has been great for my professional development. 

Pattie Beerens recently took over The Art Space in Anglesea for a month. Her playful, inclusive approach to her art was infectious and inspiring. Photographers, weavers, Scientists, bee keepers, river rambles  and bike adventures were part of her Little Curious Species (LCS) residency. 

What made you last laugh out loud?  
My animals make me laugh out loud! The theme being “scratches” this month. Roxy dog sits right where by foot is and moves around to get a good back rub. My horse, Soc loves a good old neck scratch – he also moves around so I hit the right spot and wobbles his lips in appreciate-😂 

Best advice from a teacher/mentor?  
“Be inspired by history. Have the courage to find your own voice/ truth in your work. Create work that will last the test of time” Neville French 

One piece of advice you’d give your younger self?  
Keep a Visual diary and document things so you don’t forget. 

What are you currently reading?  
Here one moment,  by Liane Moriarty.  

Are you binge watching anything?  
I love a good Binge…my favourite for 2024 was Drops of God. 

Last thing you Googled?  
Handwritten Fonts to use for my website 

Your go to art website?  
Pottery suppliers including Walkers Ceramics. 

Latest inspo?  
The eroding coastline of the Surf Coast.  
Shells, seaweed, erosion, cliffs, patterns. 

A rule you always break?  
Mmm I’m a stickler for following rules. 

Favourite emoji? 😂 

Kirsty’s catalogue

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10 Questions – Debbie Mourtzios

Unstoppable creatrix, Debbie Mourtzios, reveals what informs her practice:

Q: Work of art you would love to see?
Paula Rego’s work up close. 

Q: Last exhibition you went to? 
Ian Potter at NGV, looking at Ethel Spowers and Dorrit Black’s linocuts. 

Q: Favourite snack while creating? 
Chocolate 

Q: Which living Australian artist/s do you admire? 
Mary Tonkin, Deborah Williams and Vipoo Srivilasa and so many more 

Q: What made you last laugh out loud? 
Video of my friend’s grandchild falling asleep in the high chair while eating their dinner. The head would droop, then jerk up, take a bite of food then flop down again: The conundrum of sleep versus food. 
Any Lyn videos: A character created by Comedian Mettle Buttle. 

Q: Best advice from a teacher/mentor? 
Draw what you see, not what you know is there  
(In context to drawing from life) 

Q: One piece of advice you’d give your younger self? 
Enjoy what’s in front of you now. 

Q: What are you currently reading? 
Why have there been no great women artists? Linda Nochlin.  

Q: Are you binge watching anything? 
Live letters on You Tube 

Q: Last thing you Googled? 
Meaning of the word of French word ‘poupee’ 

Q: Latest inspo? 
Fred William’s economy of line in his etchings 
Carson Ellis illustrations in new picture book ‘Home’ 

Q: A rule you always break? 
Swearing in company 

Q: Favourite emoji? 
🤪 

Exhibition catalogue

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10 Questions – Kate Howard

Q: Work of art you would love to see?

Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden. I attempted to get there when backpacking many years ago, but circumstances intervened and I didn’t make it.

Q: Last exhibition you went to?

Yering Station Sculpture Prize. 

Q: Favourite snack while creating?

Beer nuts and a cold drink. 

Q: Which living Australian artist/s do you admire?

Geoffrey Bartlett and Lindy Lee.

Q: What made you last laugh out loud?

My friend’s dog anecdote.

Q: Best advice from a teacher/mentor?

My dad always encouraged me to work with precision and understand the qualities of a material, then relax and expand ideas, and explore from there.

Q: One piece of advice you’d give your younger self?

Have faith in the value of unconventional ideas.

Q: What are you currently reading?

Dusk by Robbie Arnott.

Q: Are you binge watching anything?

Bad Sisters. 

Q: Last thing you Googled?

Feline infectious peritonitis. 

Q: Latest inspo?

The tools and materials from my late father’s workshop. 

Q: A rule you always break?

All rules are made to be tested…sometimes they break.

Q: Favourite emoji?

🤗👍

Exhibition Catalogue