SALA Podcast

*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences are advised that this program contains the name and voice of someone who has passed away.* 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 Ny...

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 ma...

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 explain...

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, horr...

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 serv...

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, Cher...

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 w...

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...

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...

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 chip...

In this episode, Steph catches up with artist Kasia Tons in her cosy Adelaide Hills studio. They talk about her early days in the textile industry, the labour-intensive nature of her work, and how her work calls for a re-examining of the human relationship to nature.   Show notes: Transcript (pending) One Year Dress project Guildhouse Collections Project Biotic Commune at the Museum of Economic Bo...

In this episode, Steph catches up with artist Chris De Rosa in her home studio in Port Elliot. They chat about how she found her way to art-making, the versatility of paper as a material, her recent exhibition Seaweeding, and how living on the coast informs her practice.   Show Notes Transcript of this interview [PDF] Henry de Toulouse-Lautrec – French painter, printmaker, illustrator JamFactory P...

Steph catches up with sculpture artist Anna Horne ahead of her exhibition Colour Me Soft at Hugo Michell Gallery. A bit of reminiscing about her first outdoor exhibition reveals how Anna found her way to using concrete in her work - which she is now known for using. They chat about the dynamics of being an artist driven by material and process (rather than pre-visualised ideas), and the influence...

Steph catches up with artist Shirley Wu, who is known for her glass sculptures containing coloured oils. They chat about how her work is informed by previous training in aromatherapy and bodywork, and ultimately underpinned by mindfulness. Shirley is currently an artist-in-residence at Nexus Arts and gives us some insight into her upcoming exhibition Find that Pace as part of the Adelaide Fringe F...

Steph catches up with self-taught painter Caitlin Möhr after a busy year that included her debut solo exhibition ‘An Introspective Journey’ at Collective Haunt. Transcript of this episode [PDF] Show Notes cadaver (noun) a deceased human body that is used to study anatomy introspection (noun) the examination or observation of one's own mental and emotional processes breathwork (noun) conscious, con...

Steph catches up with artist Ash Tower during the exhibition Studios 2022 at Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE).  They wax poetic about knowledge systems – from library shelves and scientific journals to the honor board at the RSL – which may sound like a dry subject, but Ash’s work reveals a contagious reverence for the humanness that surrounds the growing and organising of knowledge. There...

Steph catches up with Ruby Allegra ahead of their solo exhibition ‘From My Room’ at Newmarch Gallery. Fittingly, their chat takes place in Ruby’s room, where they discuss the concept of the bed as a workspace, (a key theme of the exhibition), accessibility in the arts, and a love of Matisse. See also: blanket forts, and what spoons have to do with anything. Transcript of this interview (PDF) Show...

Andrew Purvis sits down with Julia Robinson to discuss her exhibition The Beckoning Blade at Hugo Michell Gallery during SALA Festival. From scythes to smocks, the Burry Man to the Wicker Man, witchfinders and gourdfathers; tune in to hear about the cultural, conceptual, and material considerations that drive Julia’s practice.   Show Notes JuliaRobinson.net The Beckoning Blade at Hugo Michell Gall...

Andrew Purvis chats with Mark Valenzuela about his journey as an artist and his current exhibition, 'Still Tied to a Tree' at Adelaide Central Gallery. Tune in to hear about his influences and connections to his practice – from Filipino culture, to chess, to the fictitious villain General Zod.   Show Notes 2022 SALA Feature Artist Still Tied to a Tree at Adelaide Central Gallery Book: Mark Valenzu...

In this episode, Steph catches up with painter Josh Juett (and Winsor the lorikeet) at his homestudio ahead of his show LOST IN THOUGHT at Praxis Artspace. They chat about the early days of his practice (including his first sale, a seascape for $1 in primary school) and through various artistic and musical influences that Steph definitely had to google later. Tune in to hear about his new work tha...

Steph catches up with Carly Snoswell to talk about her practice and her new show, Day One, at Post Office Projects. They trace the development of her practice from learning to sew as a kid, through art school, residencies, and studios - shoutout to the 'art wives'! Tune in for some lovely musings on fandom, textile practice, and too many sewing puns!   Show Notes Helpmann Academy Sanskriti Kendra...

To celebrate this anniversary year, we handed the microphone over to you! Hear from people who have connected with SALA Festival over its 25 years and what it means to them.

Catherine Truman joins Andrew Purvis to discuss the dynamics of artist residencies, the importance of a self-imposed 'pause', the desire to artistically locate the person behind their research, and the beginnings of her work from her time in residency at Carrick Hill. This episode was recorded as part of the Adelaide Central School of Art's ArtSpeak Program.   Show Notes Gray Street Workshop Ian G...

Andrew Purvis catches up with Rosina Possingham to chat about her intricate photographic processes (that dote on old and new technology), collaboration, and 'the Patch' - a body of work recently exhibited at Praxis Artspace inspired by Lefevre Park/Namtu Wama. Recorded as part of the Adelaide Central School of Art's ArtSpeak Program.   Show Notes RosinaPossingham.com ZINC Brianna Speight Park Land...

In this episode, Tom Borgas and Athanasios Lazarou make time to chat about Tom's practice; from feedback loops, to making the unseen seen, and the weather conditions that constitute a 'Tom day'. This talk was hosted by the Adelaide Central School of Art as part of the ArtSpeak program.   Show Notes Keller Easterling Timothy Morton James Bridle   Post Digital Ruins (Splendour in the Grass) Research...