Twelve gifted artists have recently been chosen to infuse their creativity into the Parramatta Artists Studios (PAS), now gracing a new facility in Granville. This eclectic group, hailing from various backgrounds and at different junctures in their careers, now has the luxury of a flexible workspace. It’s a place where they can push the boundaries of their exhibitions, hone their craft, and forge pivotal connections with contemporary art sector luminaries.
The City of Parramatta’s Lord Mayor, Cr Pierre Esber, voiced his enthusiasm for the program, highlighting its role in fostering a sharing of creative insights among emerging and established artists alike. “We’re excited to see what these artists can achieve as they connect with each other and Parramatta’s wider community while contributing to our vibrant culture,” he remarked. Since its inception in 2006, PAS has been a cornerstone for artists seeking to cultivate their studio-based practices—a rarity in Sydney. This nurturing environment has catapulted artists to international stages, with contemporary artist Serwah Attafuah, an alumna of the Rydalmere studio program, showcasing her work in prestigious venues like Amsterdam’s Felix Meritis and participating in this year’s Biennale of Sydney.
Among the new residents at PAS, local emerging artist Bonnie Huang is prepping for their first solo exhibition. Huang shares their excitement about joining this diverse and multi-generational group of artists, stressing the importance of community and mutual support. “For me, PAS has been a huge factor moving into arts more professionally, and I’m excited to be among many diverse and intergenerational artists as we connect and support each other,” Huang expressed.
Joining Huang is Audrey Newton, a Pakistani-Australian interdisciplinary artist who intertwines art and narrative in her pieces. Newton looks forward to the collaboration and inspiration that the new, larger workspace and materials at PAS will offer for her upcoming exhibition interstate. “I’m looking forward to connecting with the other artists and working in a larger scale space with new material,” she mentioned enthusiastically.
The duo, along with Marian Abboud, Kirtika Kain, Celine Cheung, M. Sunflower, Anney Bounpraseuth, Keg de Souza, Morgan Hogg, Monica Rani Rudhar, Ali Tahayori, and Abdullah M. I. Syed, form the vibrant community of artists at PAS this year. Their collective presence promises a fresh burst of creativity and innovation.
An official opening for the Granville facility is on the horizon, soon to be followed by a series of public workshops, tours, and events. With the addition of twelve new studios at Granville to the existing six at Rydalmere, the City of Parramatta reaffirms its commitment to nurturing the artistic talent of Western Sydney and beyond, cementing its place as a cradle of cultural development and artistic exchange.
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12 diverse artists embark on a creative journey at Parramatta Artists Studios' new Granville facility, fostering collaboration & innovation. The City of Parramatta celebrates this artistic community, promising a rich cultural exchange. 🎨🤝 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/YTW6rhIaco
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