By VANESSA VALENZUELA
DEBBIE Harman Qadri is uncovering layers of hidden artistic talent in Sunshine.
The 46-year-old has invited residents to take part in her latest collaborative art project ‘Sunshine Babel Onion’ where they are encouraged to add their own creative flair to the ever-growing artwork.
The exhibition is part of the new Sunshine Art Spaces project which offers affordable studio space for artists living in Melbourne’s West.
The Art Spaces Project, developed by Brimbank City Council, aims to support emerging artists in Brimbank and contribute to the revitalisation of the Sunshine Town Centre.
Debbie has been working as a community artist for almost 14 years and is currently completing a Masters of Arts at RMIT University.
The East Keilor resident works with a number of different artistic mediums, including ceramics, mosaic, paint, digital media and recycled materials.
“I’ve worked in a lot of mediums to keep interested but also I find, as I make a living out of it now, if you work across different types of mediums you might be able to adjust what you are doing for people,” Debbie said.
The mother-of-two said she recently took the plunge and left her job as a teacher to pursue a career as a full-time artist.
“It was a pretty daunting thing but I think it’s worked because I have been really versatile about it,” she said.
“I think you got to do something that makes you very happy. I enjoy making and creating things and doing it full-time. It’s always different. You don’t ever repeat the same job when you’re doing artwork.”
The Sunshine Babel Onion is open for public viewing on Thursday 29 November and Saturday 1 December from 2pm.
The Art Spaces Gallery is located at 2 City Place in Sunshine.
See www.sunshinebabelonion.wordpress.com for more information.
