1 February 2019

New Year, New Role (2019)


We congratulate Sue-Lyn Aldrian-Moyle on taking up the role of General Manager of Artsource. As our previous Communications and Marketing Manager, she has developed a comprehensive understanding of the organisation since joining in 2015.  

Her commitment to Artsource saw her become an integral part of supporting extensive organisational changes last year and she now leads a close collaboration of Artsource staff during what will be a busy time of continued adaptation and refocus in 2019. 

Sue-Lyn says, "Having just come through a time of uncertainty, which saw the thirty year history of Artsource be rigorously challenged by the realities of losing state government funding: the closure and reorientation of consulting services, the contraction from a staff of eleven to just three at the end of 2018 and the interruption of services for our members including a pause on professional development; I have learnt the value and importance of resilience.

"My hope for 2019 is that it delivers on immense opportunity for Artsource: our artists networks can be much better connected and there is a wide need for mentoring, our studios can offer more adaptable working spaces, we can up the ante on our professional development courses with the boost of project funding, and our voice can be firmer and louder when it comes to advocacy and engagement with Western Australian artists both nationally and internationally.

"But how will we deliver with reduced capacity? We have been bolstered by the artists who, when the going got tough last year, came in to our office and rejoined or promptly renewed their Artsource membership in a gesture of solidarity with the local arts sector. We have had over 100 volunteers sign up to support a single exhibition (Galvanise) to get it off the ground and keep the doors open. And, we have a very small but dedicated staff who are working above and beyond their part-time roles to make sure we operate as smoothly and proficiently as possible. We have maintained strength in membership numbers, and along with our active Board, I hope to demonstrate to them that we can continue to rise to our challenges but with a regained trust, transparency and hope."
 

 


 

Q+ A with Sue-Lyn Aldrian-Moyle

What drew you to working in the arts?

I'd have to start at the beginning - growing up in Indonesia meant our school art classes were full of materials and textiles that were unique to the region and I still recall sculpting with volcanic rocks as my fondest memories of that time. If I had rebelled against my parents I would have studied a bachelor of arts at university, however I have no regrets about continuing to explore my mixed-heritage through completing a double major in Communications and Photomedia at ECU which saw me return to Asia and experience firsthand the lifechanging works of not-for-profits as a journalist and photographer. After returning to settle down in Margaret River to write and work as a commercial photographer, I also found myself supporting local practitioners with developing their creative businesses and marketing themselves online, which ultimately lead to me joining Artsource where I could further my dedication to supporting artists in their practice.

Being able to offer practical support to artists as well as to advocate for the sector as a whole, draws on my communications background, empathy as a practitioner and provides the continual challenge of shaping community and sector to allow people to be able to live and support themselves as artists. I want to make sure that the next generation can continue to look to the arts as a viable career path and celebrate those who have helped to forge it. 


What is in your art collection?

The art we have at home has started to reflect talking points and beliefs my husband and I want to instill in our young children. Our latest purchase is Rhino by Jana Wallace Braddock, which reminds us of the importance of conservation beyond our borders and the further demise of a beautiful species last year. In our hallway is a canvas by Selena Brown from Spinifex Hill Studios, a print of Meeandip Derbarlmarra by Bradley Kickett, a 1980s Yogja batik motif and some of my photographs from China's Hong Kong as a daily reminder of the many languages and cultures we live in and share. Then there's a blue bust of Leonard Cohen by Robert Hitchcock as my husband's a huge fan of both. 

On my wishlist is a steel sculpture exhibited in Galvanise, Impossible Shadow #7, by Basel residency artist, Jennifer Cochrane. I'm drawn to it's conjoined lines and mindbending form. 
 



Image:

  • Thumbnail: Sue-Lyn Aldrian-Moyle with Luka (left) and Elise (right) at Ashfield Open Studios 2016. Photographer: Christophe Canato.