Get To Know… Chira Grasby
A deep dive into all things ‘arts and ents’.
Words Indigo James // Image Milo Trnovsky
Chira Grasby is a powerhouse in the Adelaide arts scene. Chira, often known by her work name, Poko Ono – is the co-owner of Halfpace, a bold tattoo studio now evolving into a destination for exhibitions. Her multidisciplinary practice spans tattooing, curating and painting, drawing from diasporic experiences and wide-ranging influences. As co-owner, she’s committed to platforming marginalised creatives who may otherwise struggle to find space in the industry
What do you do? Tell us about your practice.
I’m a curator and artist. Most of the time I’m tattooing in my studio Halfpace, but now and then you’ll find me installing a group exhibition or working on a painting.
You recently wrapped up your curatorial internship at ACE Gallery. Where did your love of curating begin?
I curated my first exhibition in 2017. Titled ‘Disperse’, it presented a collective of culturally diverse creatives reflecting on life in contemporary Australia. I felt as though curation was an extension of my creative practice; an opportunity to be the bridge between audiences and artworks, and steer the experience people have when entering an exhibition.
Congrats on the re-opening of Halfpace Studio! What’s your dream for the space going forward?
Thank you! I’m incredibly proud of everything Halfpace has become since we opened in early 2021, and our new location creates so many opportunities for us. We recently held an exhibition on site to celebrate our (re)opening, and it prompted us to examine how visual arts can intersect, or even merge, with our tattoo studio. This will present more exhibitions moving forward, perhaps one or two per year.
How do your cultural roots or experiences of diaspora influence your art and the spaces you build around it?
As a marginalised person, I believe all my creative decisions are informed by my identity, even without being consciously aware of it. I think of it as something I’m aware of as an underlying constant, but not the focus of my practice. Diversity remains a large factor behind my choices at Halfpace, where my aim has been to platform marginalised creatives that may otherwise struggle to find a comfortable place within the industry.
Where do your ideas usually begin – both in your tattoo designs and visual art?
Whatever my current hobbies or outlets are! I enjoy being able to test different ideas rather than feeling stagnant, producing the same work consistently. As a tattooer, I’m currently drawing from architecture and vintage storybook illustrations. As a curator, I think it’s interesting to work on themes that require research and writing, allowing me to learn whilst I create. My recent curatorial projects have formed from topics such as Romanticism, Black Hole theories, and the multi-functional nature of milk crates.
You juggle curating, tattooing, creating and running Halfpace. How do you balance all these roles – and find space to rest?
I don’t often give myself time to rest, but really, it depends what your definition of rest is! I guess I just try to enjoy life as much as possible in my downtime while still keeping busy. I like to watch movies on the couch with my partner and our dogs, going out to try new food spots in between errands, making crochet items when I need to keep my hands busy, or sporadically deciding to make an artwork when I’m bored at home after work.
What’s your earliest memory of making art? What do you think that a younger you would think of where you are now?
My Nanna lived with us when I was in kindergarten and she had a pottery wheel for making bowls, pots, and vases. She often made objects for me to paint, giving me the fun job of decorating her creations. At that age I loved anything hands on – drawing, playing instruments, science, etc., and my family really fostered that love as I grew older. I think little me would be pretty stoked that I spend my life being creative, and potentially very relieved.
Keep up to date with everything Chira Grasby is working on via @chiragrasby.
