Western Australian artist Andrew Frazer grew up in Bunbury, and with his most recent project he is looking to change the way both locals and visitors see his hometown. Re.Discover will see a collection of established local artists paint murals around the streets of the Bunbury CBD and will culminate in a group exhibition at Bunbury Regional Art Galleries on 18 January. Andrew is today’s creative…
Official job title: Artist & Six Two Three Zero Director.
Tell us about your career background and how you’ve come to where you are now:
I am a self taught artist that grew up in Bunbury, Western Australia. Actually self taught isn’t the right word as the truth is that I have been learning from others for many years, but just not in a formal institute. I have always been involved in creative ventures, but it wasn’t really until late 2010 that I had the courage to explore my art with more focus, passion and commitment. I held my first solo exhibition at These Days Gallery in 2011 which then helped pay for my flight to move to Canada where I married my best friend and had been living up until April 2013 when Drea and I moved back to Australia.
My career has been filled with ups and downs, acceptance and turn-downs, motivation and apathy, but has been incredibly fulfilling. I am humbled to be able to being doing my art full time since June 2012 and I pray that this continues to be a reality in my life for many years to come. I am an artist and I consider it a honour.
You’re currently working on the Re.Discover exhibition in Bunbury. What inspired this project?
Back in 2011 I had been contacting a heap of different artists with various collaborative ideas and through a series of conversations I was inspired to organise an art based event myself. To be honest I didn’t really know where to start, so I just started emailing and calling a range of Australian artists I admire and respect to get their thoughts on a Bunbury based street art project. At the time I was still living in Canada so it was a little tricky, but with the patience and commitment of some amazing individuals, the idea developed from concept to a small reality over the course of a number of months. I had always wanted to give back to Bunbury as an artist, so the street art project was a perfect blend of creative venture, artistic collaboration, community involvement and Bunbury CBD revitalisation.
What are you hoping to achieve through the project?
More than anything I hope that individuals will walk the streets of Bunbury’s CBD and have a fresh appreciation of the city through the beautification of painted walls that for have been overlooked and boring for so long. I really hope that property and business owners capture the vision of the project and the benefit of having blank walls creatively and professionally painted by a collection of great Western Australian artists. With the project set to become an annual event the potential for Bunbury’s CBD (and beyond) is huge!
What is Bunbury like nowadays? I dare say most people associate it largely as a landmark on the way further into the south-west.
I would say that is a fair comment. Though change comes through vision and I am very excited to bring the vision of this project to Bunbury and be a part of seeing the city become a destination and not a transit location. There are so many amazing things to do in Bunbury from exploring independent stores, enjoying alfresco, café dining, being inspired by local art, giving paddle boarding a crack and of course venturing out to discover some dolphins. Introducing street art to Bunbury is one way to elevate the experience of Bunbury’s CBD for both locals and visitor alike. At the end of the day my vision is to see Bunbury draw from it’s own rich history and implement new ways to inspire the city moving forward. I’m stoked to be a part of the change.
Describe your workspace:
I work from my shared home studio with my wife, which is a stone floor room filled with natural light. My art supplies are usually scattered everywhere and I have a bounty of sketchbooks that I am continually filling and referencing. I tend to bounce back and forth between my drawing board and computer through out the day which is then broken up by a either bike ride into town for a meeting or some lunch with my beautiful wife – Drea. (Hopefully both!)
You’ve just touched on it, but can you take us through a typical day of your work:
Hmmm… good question. A semi-typical day would be browsing through art websites and art books before getting stuck into replying to emails. I try not let my emails go unanswered for too long, but it can also take up more of my day then I would like to admit. Once I have my bearings for the day I begin to work on any number or projects that I am currently cooking. This will tend to start with loose sketches that are then tightened up over time and, if needed for the client, scanned and made digital for submission. This process repeats itself many times in one day until I find my brain begins to slow down to a very slow pace. This is when I find myself scrolling Instagram and procrastinating. [Laughs.] My goal is to be focusing more time on original illustrations and street art as this year unfolds.
What has been your proudest achievement?
In life – Drea saying yes when I asked her to marry me. In art – being able to paint alongside some of the artists that have inspired me most throughout the years as part of the Re.Discover project.
Any tips for aspiring creatives in WA?
Continue to remind yourself of how large and how beautiful this world can be if you allow. Always stay humble and be quick to listen to those who have walked the path further and longer than you have. Don’t allow fear to determine your steps because you will always be comforted yet never satisfied. Make sure to collaborate with other artists and encourage them along their journey. Isolation can be a productive context when creating art, but community is needed to sustain it, so make time to get out of the studio to go for a walk, drive, coffee… and don’t forget to enjoy the sunshine.
Which local artists/musicians/creatives do you admire?
Stormie Mills, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Maegan Brown, Johann Kim, Machéll Design, Jarrad Seng, Nectarine, Drea Frazer, Matthew Bettinaglio, Cam Campbell, Anya Brock, Ian Rayner, Feck, Jodee Knowles, Tim Howe, Michelle Leslie, Emma Bergmeier-Varian, Jordan Gianfrancisco, Amok Island and Andy Quilty.
What do you love about Perth?
Perth is a beautiful city in so many ways – I am continually encouraging people to visit and/or move over! One of the things I love about Perth the most is how easy it is to get around either by foot or with a bike. There is always such a bounty to explore and I feel like I am only scratching the surface which is great. Heading south – I love the reality of Bunbury being located on the coast. After living and visiting many countries through out the years it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful the ocean is – especially when we see it from our front door… stoked!
What does Perth need?
In short I think Perth needs a more balanced outlook when it comes to expanding versus maintaining what already exists. It is easy to just jump onto the next best thing, but let us not forget that there are amazing individuals out there already working knuckles to the grind on projects that three months ago were all the talk. Bunbury needs less rumbling exhaust pipes along Victoria Street.
Most frequented coffee shop? In Perth – Studio Bomba. In Bunbury – Benessé Café.
Best live music venue? In Perth – The Rosemount. In Bunbury – The Prince of Wales.
Favourite beach? In Perth – City Beach. In Bunbury – The Bay.
Rottnest or Margaret River? Margaret River. Andrew.