My Space: Chelsea Farquhar
What makes a truly creative space?
Words Timothea Moylan
Image Bronwyn Hockley
An artist and designer with a flair for the otherworldly, the sexy and the absurd, Chelsea Farquhar’s feed is awash with circus stripes, ruffles, spikes and loud knitted pieces. Fresh from a residency in regional Japan, she has work exhibited all over the country, from the galleries of Sydney to Adelaide’s very own Household (currently for its iconic OFF BEAT experimental design group exhibition) right now. We catch up for a coffee to chat costuming, styling lesbian Bratz dolls and the importance of being present while making art.
Tell us about your practice.
My work is really playful, collaborative, DIY and based around world-building. I went to art school, but I’m self-taught at sewing – I actually just started a Cert III at TAFE SA in sewing [to] officially learn how to do a zip. The world is my oyster, but I’m confined by my lack of zip knowledge!
What inspires your work?
Historic fashion, costumes, queer history and campy stuff. I use historic European patternmaking as key inspiration, especially performance wear – think circus acrobats and clowns.
What’s your earliest memory of making art?
I grew up in a soccer family, so I actually don’t have that many memories of making art as a child. I used to sit on the porch with my Bratz dolls, wrap them in toilet paper and make them get married. My aunty got married in 2001 and had this beautiful silk dress, so the dresses were just like that. I had one boy, Cameron, and he was the priest. It was mostly about wrapping them in fabric – these lesbian Bratz dolls and this little priest boy.
What was the biggest thing you learned while on residency in Japan last year?
I learned that it’s important to allow yourself to go with no existing projects so you can be more present and make work in response to the new environment. I was having this great experience in Japan in springtime, riding bikes and eating yummy food, but then I’d sit in the studio and all I would think about was Australia and creating work for this runway in Melbourne. I just felt like I could connect with Japan everywhere except my studio, which is the whole point of doing a residency.
What are you most excited about working on right now?
Making clothes and costumes and styling clothes for images. The ones I’ve shared with you are hopefully going towards a lookbook. I’ve also have an exciting video work project, [which will be] announced later in the year!
Does listening to music influence your practice?
I don’t listen to heaps of music, but I love music videos and costuming. I think I love album designs and music merchandising more than I love the music itself!
Well, despite that… what are your top three artists right now?
I love K-pop, so I’ll say G-Dragon – I’m so excited for his new album. Lady Gaga’s Artpop has been on repeat lately. Also, Alice McCool’s debut pop album (editor’s note: stay tuned for more about this one).
Keep up to date with everything Nicole Clift is working on via @chelseafarquhar_.
