It’s a bold statement to say that Gold Coast culture would not be where it is without Rebecca Ross, but it’s true.
As an artist, teacher, pioneer and passionate advocate for other artists, she has been instrumental in strengthening the local creative community and creating change for the better.
Rebecca has known that the arts would be her ‘thing’ since she was a student at Miami High, where she completed her school education after moving to the Gold Coast from Melbourne in the early 90s.
After working in the arts, studying art at QUT in Brisbane and working on her own practice for over a decade (including an artist residency in Rome) she returned to the Gold Coast with the aim of having a hand in shaping the cultural landscape of her city.
As an artist, Rebecca has exhibited all over the country and her work is included in public and private collections in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Locally, she’s completed public art commissions for Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Health Precinct.
Rebecca lives in Burleigh Heads, and like many Gold Coasters, doesn’t feel the need to venture too far afield on a day-to-day basis.
“I’m pretty 4220 proud!” she confesses.
“I live in Burleigh and work in Miami, and I extend my reach to the 4218 where I have a studio.”
Rebecca’s role in GC arts community is a prominent one, and she’s always willing to participate in something that’s going to raise our cultural profile. She’s been involved in the 2012 Sold Coast forums exploring local cultural and environmental sustainability issues. She spearheaded the Save Miami Ice campaign and has spoken at *Bleach Festival’s Fibro Coast exhibition and at cultural think tank 2970 (degrees). She teaches in the art department at the Queensland College of Art and as she puts it, is “usually involved in a myriad of other art related activities locally and further afield”.
Nicola Morton – Wireless Psychics Experiment
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Her main role in the creative evolution of the Gold Coast though has been as instigator and artistic director of The Walls art space in Miami, which she created as a way to raise the profile and exposure of local contemporary artists and cultivate a connection between the general community and creatives.
The unstructured and unassuming warehouse space in an industrial complex is literally a blank canvas, allowing artists to embrace an avant garde approach to exhibiting their works. With a program of monthly exhibitions and artist talks, regular events and a local artist in residence program, The Walls is the first of its kind on the Gold Coast and has provided vital opportunities for emerging artists.
When asked about the most rewarding part of what she does, Rebecca’s answer is immediate.
“Everything!” she says.
“Creating opportunities for artists, creating positive change and making a contribution to the community and creative landscape of the Gold Coast. Meeting and working with new artists.
“Seeing the world a little bit differently with the advent of each new exhibition.”
All this has kept Ross so busy that she’s had a couple of years hiatus from her own practice as an artist, but is currently working on an exhibition at Boxcopy Contemporary Art Space in Brisbane later this year.
There are those who would assume it’s mission accomplished for Rebecca’s passion to provide opportunities, recognition and appreciation for local artists, but she’s not one to rest on her laurels and sees plenty of progress still to come.
“I’m so stoked to be on the Goldy right now, there’s some great initiatives and projects emerging,”
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“The one thing that needs work is creating an awareness of what artists are worth. Artists have a hierarchy of needs like everybody else. There’s still an understanding out there that if something is good exposure then that’s payment enough for an artist. I think creatives deserve more credit. Being an artist is a real job. I think we need to work on increasing literacy surrounding arts and culture. It’s a big part of what The Walls is all about.”
The Walls
Down By The - by Rebecca Ross
Landmark for Vida Lahey
Mettre al mondo il mondo by Rebecca Ross
Rebecca spoke to More Gold Coast giving us the lowdown on all of her favourite things about the city…
Newest discovery
The Village Bike. As an avid bike rider, I just discovered this awesome cycle-centric spot in Burleigh. (No I’m not a lycra-clad speedster, I ride a secondhand racer called Black Beauty!) You can join for $30, get a free t-shirt, use the workshop, learn new skills and fix your wheels in the company of a dedicated group of local bike aficionados.
Regular haunt
Burleigh Beach. I love the view of the point break and the profile of the headland, there’s something magnetic and ancient about that place. I jokingly say that the sea knows everything about me because I spend so much time down there thinking, dreaming, walking and swimming.
Local creative doing cool things
Ali Bezer, our current local artist in residence at The Walls. Ali is resident for Autumn and the fruits of her residency will be exhibited in a solo show in June. I am intrigued by Ali’s translations of sound into visual spatial forms and by the range of materials she employs to do this.
Bec Barnett for her resourceful and thoughtful design and repurposing and recycling of furniture and upholstery. She has an eye for great fabrics too!
Best way to unwind
Bike ride or skate along the Espy (The Esplanade, Burleigh) or reading. I’ve recently discovered that bio’s of Hollywood stars are my thing – currently halfway through Sofia Loren’s life story.
Favourite place to eat
Easy Street Diner is my favourite treat eat, I usually ride up to Mermaid from Burleigh to work up the appetite for an awesome cheeseburger and some fat hip hop beats!
Favourite place for a drink
The new Justin Lane rooftop is pretty swish, I love an alfresco spot with a sea breeze and a cold cocktail. I’m also pretty happy on my front porch, a glass of wine, good friends and my green jungle garden, pot plants and some tunes.
Best place to connect with nature
Burleigh Headland. Haha! Human nature – it’d be the beach. Nocturnal nature – Surfers Paradise. I don’t go clubbing anymore but I still like to venture in to Surfers for a stroll and a look around.
Best resource for artistsNational Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA), Flying Arts (For QLD Artists), our local culture unit are doing great things so I recommend getting along to info sessions and meet ups that they’re facilitating. To bring it back to The Walls, getting to openings and events where you meet other artists, curators and creative. This is invaluable in growing your professional networks and talking about your work.
Best place for a culture fix
The Walls and the new crew at Mountain View Ave including The Farm Dance Theatre Company. Dust Temple. I’m a regular at the City Gallery too. And Maverick Hair & Art Space – a salon and gallery rolled into one.
Best coffee
I don’t drink much of it anymore but the at Burleigh Point will always be my favourite haunt for a fix.
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Along with other Gold Coast events, you might also like to read:
Your Guide to GLOW
Art for all | Five Gold Coast art galleries
Mike Perry: finding the right PACE on the Gold Coast
April gig guide (live music on the Gold Coast)
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