fab is a brand-new artist-led studio complex located in Kent Town. It represents the evolution of George Street Studios with a new name that reflects the spirit of the group of makers you will find there.
The Helpmann Academy is incredibly proud of our long-term partnership with George Street Studios and delighted to continue the partnership with a renewed incarnation of the program at fab.
We are thrilled to announce that the inaugural recipients of the fab Studio Residency program for 2024 are emerging artists Tiarnie Edwards and Cameron Longshaw.
Tiarnie is a Ngarrindjeri artist based on Kaurna Country in Tarntanya and graduate from the University of South Ausrtalia. They have a multidisciplinary practice which spans a diverse mode of mediums such as ceramics, printmaking, illustration, and painting.
Their practice focuses on themes of identity, culture, history, politics, activism, and the intersectional way these fields overlap within complex and diverse identities within contemporary Australian life. Tiarnie utilises the universal language of visual knowledge to connect audiences to their narrative works, using humour and history to tell the stories of community and individuals. Their work explores the preservation of history and identities within their works.
As a recent graduate, the fab residency is coming at the perfect time for Tiarnie.
“The fab studio residency opportunity through Helpmann Academy comes within a pivotal time between my academic and artistic journey as a practicing artist. It has given me the space to continuing creating within a creative community I know will nurture my practice to continue to grow,” they said.
Cameron is a recent graduate from the University of South Australia, living and working on Kaurna land. His background in various disciplines such as photography, sound, projection, and sculpture give him a diverse skillset with which to explore themes related to his ever-evolving interests.
These interests tend to gravitate towards the use of technologies in his work to explore his themes. With these skills, he can creatively respond and give form to research, hunches, epiphanies, and observations about our contemporary world. At its simplest, his practice comes from his interest in the sublime, the kind of awe we may experiences when confronted by things outside the reach of our comprehension. He is curious about everything: ideas, objects, systems, people, observations, hunches, epiphanies.
For Cameron being surrounded by a community of creative practitioners and having the space is an exciting prospect.
“My goals for the residency include creating, networking, gaining experience, developing new skills, and working towards an exhibition. A crucial aspect of the residency will be dedicated to creating… the dynamic environment of the fab studio will facilitate this, allowing me to gain insights into the workings of the arts community and learn from experienced individuals,” said Cameron.
The Helpmann Academy / fab Studio Residency provides a 12-month rent-free shared studio space, access and training to use on-site machinery, tools and equipment as well as technical assistance in an inclusive space.
Learn more about our residency opportunities for 2025 at 215 Magill and the British School at Rome, here.
Images: (1) OUTLAWS by Tiarnie Edwards. Image: Bente Anderhmahr and (2) Wish This Day Would Never End by Cameron Longshaw. Image supplied. Artist headshots by Sam Roberts.