ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Artist Kellie O’Dempsey will be on site for three weeks in August 2023 to research and develop a new body of work responding to The Condensery’s architecture and the specifics of the bomb shelter’s history. The bomb shelter was built in the 1940s as a repository for archives which was cared for by a team of female secretaries brought to Toogoolawah for that purpose.  Building on her previous work, O’Dempsey is interested in unpacking and exploring the unseen and often unrecognised caring responsibilities, in this case and in many other circumstances performed largely by women.

Kellie O’Dempsey’s work includes projection, video, performance, drawing and sound. Unlike traditional artworks, that present an object for viewing once the creative process is over, her method of performance drawing allows audiences to experience direct access to the artist and the creative process. She creates stunning, dynamic and playful artworks live and in-situ, responding to location, sounds, shapes and colours. Through immersive and vibrant video installation or as performance, collage and drawing in location Kellie is particularly interested in facilitating and encouraging audience’s connection to play, creating shared experience.

Kellie O’Dempsey will mentor local artist Naomi McKenzie during her residency, with a presentation of McKenzie’s work in the bomb shelter planned for September 2023.