Converge is the latest art installation in Lismore. It will get you thinking - it’s diverse, it’s dynamic and it’s a great reason to visit the city.

Eleven artists in residence in a large, bright, disused space on Woodlark Street.

“It’s like a new beginning. And Lismore needs new beginnings,” said Aunty Thelma in her Welcome to Country, weaving story and culture with her address.

Lismore City Council, the State Government and the NSW Reconstruction Authority have all contributed to this innovative exhibition, highlighting the importance of connectivity and connection.

At Converge, for around six months, local artists will share the space, working on and displaying their art, as well as holding workshops, welcoming exploration into intriguing concepts for the community.

Matt O’Brien’s works were the backdrop of the speeches at the launch of Converge. His style of imagery catches the attention, as the images are like sepia tone photos.

“All these works are about the place where I made them. So I gather soil, oak grass, from the place I visit, and make my own paints out of what I forage off the ground, and make work about the place that I'm at. 

“I'm sort of playing on the old traditional photograph here. I'm seeing change over time because we get to a point where we don't have any reflection when we notice big change. The change is always happening. 

“This is the general reminder for us to take notice of all the small things that are happening because that's what's contributing to the bigger change over time.”

Matt talked about this image with the big yellow spots.

“It's about being seen. So if I'm walking around country on my own, discovering things, even if I may be the only person walking around, I'm still being seen by something bigger than me. It's not necessarily an animal or a human or anything like that. But it's about participation. 

“So, it's that sort of being seen and then having been seen. It is about being a bit more mindful.“

On this exhibition, Matt said, “For me, personally, it's being in isolation, making work and questioning your own work. You get some feedback from exhibitions and awards. 

“But to be back in a room full of other contemporaries who have got great ideas, do different things to you, and are talking about art all day. It's about being back in a dynamic space. And it's so nice to have that connection.”

Michelle Gilroy is inspired by Frida Khalo. She is taking a diversion from her normal subjects of pretty flying creatures like birds and butterflies, and has an introspective project for Converge.

“I want to depict everyday scenes of my life, and it covers things like body issues. Reframing how people see people with disabilities. And reframing how I see myself.

“I feel vulnerable. Because I'm doing mostly nudes.”

Michelle’s works bring up the issue of self-confidence and what we find attractive in ourselves.  

Michelle discusses her initial painting, “This is resting in your bedroom. With this one, I've got a urology bag, and it just kind of highlights that. The difference of ordinary and how it works, the medical issues, and still trying to feel like a normal woman.”

We discuss the medical industry and what they are capable of doing now. Michelle’s subject confronts physical ideals of being at ease and aesthetic appeal - the ability to recline, and relax, with the reality of the urology bag. The juxtaposition of the relaxed and what we are not relaxed about.

Michelle’s works will reflect different aspects of disability. “My next painting that I'm planning on, might be a bit imaginative. It's going to be under the sea. With the wheelchair at the bottom of the sea, that I'll be coming out of as a mermaid.”

“I just asked, what can I bring? That's unique to me? And I decided on revealing aspects of myself. It's very vulnerable. But I think it's important because there are so many people that have different bodies with medical issues.”

Annie Monks is an artist who’s work has started gaining attention in the city. She is coming to the close of an exhibition at Timbre and is keen to develop a more hands-on exhibition in the Converge space.

“I am going to do a series of workshops around Aboriginal queer, women's pleasure around sex and intimacy.”

Annie is a sex and relationship counsellor, “I'm a sexologist, and I'm a mental health social worker. I come from a really long family of artists."

Taking inspiration from both, “the more academic and healing, and I always did art on the side. Now I'm finding a way to merge them together to use art for healing. 

“There is a lot of research at the moment around Aboriginal people not getting pregnant and STI prevention. There's no money going into Aboriginal sex and pleasure. So I am going to be running a series of workshops with other queer Aboriginal women in the community.

“We're going to make ceramic pleasure toys. They're not necessarily sex toys. But things that bring you joy and pleasure and connecting back to your body in ways that feel authentic and beautiful. Whatever the pleasure is for you, help you find it and experiment and stay in that space.”

Other artists in residence includes:

Karenza Ebejer, a socially engaged video artist and documentary filmmaker. Her films focus on relationship to place, culture and identity and work is often made in creative collaboration with participants. 

Adrienne Kenafake, a multidisciplinary Australian artist based in northern New South Wales, working cross mediums of sculpture, performance and installation. She explores the potential objects as space psychological and extrasensory archives of emotion, story and place. 

Antoinette O'Brien, a multidisciplinary artist with a strong focus on figurative ceramics. She is deeply committed to community and responds to it through her work, which also considers place, sky, sea and soil as integral.

Paul Walker, an independent dancer, performance artist and community arts worker based in Bundjalung country in northern New South Wales for over 20 years. Paul has been performing, teaching and making dance physical theatre, live art, interactive performances, cabaret and drawing.

Chris Lego works across many mediums in self-publishing a zine screen printing as the Department of Nothing making small wearable sculptures and collages and painting. He also creates events, party decor and DJs a unique and sometimes chaotic mix of music.

Stefanie Miriklis was raised in Northern NSW; her practice based on paper painting and printmaking now focuses on found objects and mosaics. Through this medium, she transforms memory and sentiment into thought-provoking visual ingredients that address the intimate implications societal adoption and abrupt climate change.

“It’s transcending cosmic boundaries, a fusion of Scott Sinclair and Aaron McGarry's celestial talents. Their collaborative synergy channels the harmonious balance of the cosmos defying artistic convention with materials and processes that resonate across galaxies.

“Lismore has long been known as a creative powerhouse proudly boasting a large, diverse and talented artistic community,” Mayor of Lismore, Steve Krieg said. Cr Kreig, "I'm excited for the possibilities for Lismore, creating a space to come together and exchange ideas, techniques and skills.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is greatly supportive of the project saying, “For every dollar spent on the arts in NSW, it is worth $1.88 that goes into the economy of New South Wales.”  

"This is particularly important at any time, even more so as we're on that journey, still of recovery, reimagination, reimagining and rebirth.”

Kristy Clarke from the NSW RA said, “I think this is such a fantastic opportunity to showcase the amazing talent that we have in the region and also mentor up-and-coming youth and arts in the region. So great to be a part of this very exciting project.”

Aunty Thelma encompassed art and talent when she said, “When you take time to look at a piece, you get a little bit of an idea of the territory or the person who has done it. And that to me, is great, because we aren’t all the same. And I have always wanted to be me. Though I would like to be a little taller!”

The space at Converge will not be open to the public until the artists have finalised their set up.

You will find Converge at 123 Woodlark Street, if you would like to peep in the windows. We will let you know when you are able to go inside and meet some extraordinary people.