i have had the privilege of being under the mentorship of marcia leonard for the last few months in conjunction with the "open borders: [in]site" exhibition. this opportunity has marked my initial foray into the roles of mentee and curator, sparking a deep-seated enthusiasm for facilitating creative initiatives and bolstering artist-driven projects, exhibitions, and educational workshops. i particularly resonate with marcia's enduring emphasis on diversity and accessibility, departing from the notion that artists must possess a significant reputation or substantial financial resources to showcase their work.
our collaborative efforts have been dedicated to nurturing a productive working relationship with all participating artists, underscoring the significance of continuous professional development. we firmly believe that inspiration is not an instantaneous catalyst but a product of sustained practice and dedication. thank you to the visionary group behind the exhibition for collaborating and driving this dream. i look forward to seeing more diversity on walls and public spaces across regional australia and helping to make this happen. ”open borders: [in]site” is on display at the cannery arts centre until 30 october. please view our exhibition catalogue here. here.
sarsby martin and marcia leonard - “open borders: [in]site” exhibition opening night
commencing in april 2022, i have undertaken a collaborative engagement with a cohort of esteemed artists, including allira henderson, natalie mccarthy, jamie coyle, katie white, lynda horn, jenelle hudson, and marcia leonard. the focus has been on fostering a culture of collaboration and constructive dialogue through comprehensive workshops, with a primary objective of enabling these artists to imbue their unique insights into the overarching theme of 'open borders' within their final artistic expressions. this iterative process has proven to be both fulfilling and enlightening, and i eagerly anticipate the integration of the acquired proficiencies from this initiative into my future undertakings. throughout the workshops, i meticulously captured moments through photography for archival purposes and to provide each artist with a personalized record of their creative journey. a selection of these images is presented below for reference.
