Hello, my name is Kim and I am a visual artist working primarily with drawing. :)

I am thrilled to have been invited to undertake a three-month residency (April/May/June) at DRAWinternational, a centre for artistic research in Caylus, France, that focuses specifically on drawing theory and practice.  DRAWinternational offers artists, teachers and students the opportunity to extend professional practice through cultural exchange, and to confront new ideas in an environment conducive to serious research and experimentation. Along with individual studio practice, the centre offers taught workshops, conferences and seminars, as well as opportunities for exhibition.


http://www.draw-international.com/

Under the guidance and mentorship of highly acclaimed artists/researchers, I will develop a residency program that involves a concentrated technical investigation into drawing as both a cerebral and physical activity. I will also explore the crossover between traditional drawing techniques and other modes of expression such as installation, projection and even film.  I will be participating in workshops, seminars and critiques, and plan to exhibit the resulting work in France and Australia.


Untitled, University of Dundee, Scotland, 2008.

The philosophy at DRAWinternational correlates perfectly with my own investigation of drawing as a representational tool, a means of research, and a process of discovery about the world and myself.  This will be an incredible opportunity to extend my professional practice through cultural exchange, and to confront new ideas in an environment conducive to serious research and experimentation.  I am at a crucial point in my artistic development where I feel a great need to take some risks, challenge myself both technically and conceptually, and take some big leaps forward in my practice.  This chance to spend a concentrated period of time developing my skills and working towards my most ambitious project yet will be a major turning point in my career.


The Burden, 2014.  Copic pen on paper, 76 x 56cm.

Outside of formal academic study, there is no residency program like DRAWinternational for professional artists in Australia that focuses so specifically on drawing, and the opportunity to participate in this will open up many further avenues through which to connect with other drawing practitioners and research occurring throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. My aim is to build networks with other artists, curators and galleries with a particular interest in drawing, and pursue avenues to collaborate on future projects and exhibit my work internationally.

My residency is not funded, therefore I have to cover the costs myself - which is not easy being a struggling artist! The falling Australian dollar means that these costs are increasing week by week. The main expenses include:
-  The DRAWinternational residency fee
-  Airfares and other travel
-  Insurance,
-  Art materials and freight
-  Daily living expenses
-  And hopefully - at the end of it all - an exhibition!

And, since I've travelled all that way, there are some additional things I'm aiming to do with your support...  

While in France I plan to attend Drawing Now Paris 10, a “salon” taking place over four days at Le Carreau du Temple that highlights contemporary drawing practice and involves an extensive program of exhibitions, symposia, interviews, talks and workshops.

After the end of my residency I also hope to spend a week in London before I return home in order to visit the Centre for Recent Drawing and The Drawing Room, both organisations dedicated to the investigation and presentation of international contemporary drawing. I will also visit the Departments of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in order to examine the historical context of drawing practice. And of course myriad other museums and galleries...  Oh so many...!!!

I am pleased to let you know that I have received partial support from the Copyright Agency Creative Industries Career Fund, and also the Ian Potter Cultural Trust, both of which I am extremely grateful for.  To really make the most of this incredible opportunity however, I need a little bit of extra support from you to help me take full advantage of this major turning point in my career...  And here's the good news - thanks to having been selected for Creative Partnerships Australia's MATCH program, every dollar you give to this campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, provided I reach my campaign target of $2000!

As an emerging artist, it is my very great honour to have these prestigious organisations behind me.  Your support at such a crucial point in my artistic development will also be an investment in my future career - just think, you can say you knew me back when...!  ;)

The challenges i face are mostly to do with pushing my artistic practice, taking some risks and introducing more spontaneity and intuition into my creative process...  I'm pretty sure i'm up for it!!!  :D