RISE & SHINE
Visual Art Exhibition Guide
Message from the curator
Maeve O’Carroll
Hello!
If you are reading this, it either means that you are either one of the artists in this exhibition
looking for your own work on the wall, or someone who is supporting the growth of queer arts and
expression on the Central Coast.
Regardless,
THANK YOU!
Thank you for your work, your support, your feedback, and most importantly your presence here.
Places like this would not be able to exist without the community surrounding them.
2024’s exhibition showcases artists from across a vast span of ages, skill levels, and experience.
Each and every artist put something of themselves into their pieces, please enjoy them.
Designed to showcase LGBTIQ Central Coast artists to local, state-wide, and national audiences,
Coastal Twist Festival has been breaking regional boundaries since its launch in 2019. Connecting
the region’s thriving creatives with new opportunities, residencies, audiences, and new opportunities
for paid work as the region and its businesses opens for visible inclusion and a better way moving
forward.
Please note, this exhibition contains nudity, religious references, and explicit language.
How to Use this Guide
This Artist + Statement Print Guide is to be used along with the Exhibition Room Sheet brochure. This guide is not numbered by order of the artworks in the room, but instead artists from both categories (youth and adult) have been sorted alphabetically.
Numbers may be used as a point of reference for sales.
The artist statements have been provided by the artists themselves and have been edited for clarity.
We thank them for their participation.
1. Anstee, Keito
Keito Anstee is a trans, queer and disabled animator and graphic artist.
He specialises in producing inclusive work for the multicultural queer community in Sydney.
This includes concept art, music videos, illustrations and graphic design work. His preferred mediums are digital, printmaking, costume, couture, fiber art, watercolour, stop motion and frame by frame animation.
(This work contains adult content)
1a. Cherry Packer Rainbow Fucking Capitolism
Digital Illustration, A4. $40 Print run of 3
1b. Cracked Rainbow Fucking Capitolism series
Digital Illustration, 6x6” $40 Print Run of 5
1c. HAVE.YOU.TRIED.G.D Rainbow Fucking Capitolism series
Digital Illustration, 6x6” $40 Print Run of 5
1d. NOTHING.BEATS.B.P Rainbow Fucking Capitolism series square
Digital Illustration, 6x6” $40 Print Run of 5
I wanted to create cute and silly imagery of trans bodies in fun and appealing colours with inviting slogans exploring the ridiculous struggle of trying to make trans bodies palatable to the wider public.
Here they are simply and starkly drawn on their colourful product posters, served up to answer the constant and insufferable questions that I and other trans people are constantly asked in public. People could just look at a book or google these things, but apparently we need to spoon feed and sell it to them.
On the flip-side I want to normalise the display of diverse bodies for the entertainment and affirmation of other queer, intersex and trans people in my community. Proceeds from any sales go towards my gender affirming care.
Keito Anstee’s pronouns are he/him
His work can be found at @keitofirefly and @cherrypacker on Instagram.
2. Askew, Karen
I can’t ever remember a time when I wasn't making something with my
hands.
It surprised absolutely no one when, as a teenager, I did a printing trade. With time my trade became overtaken by technology and has been reduced to a thousand clicks of a mouse to achieve what was once done by hand.
C'est la vie. If anything one has to be adaptable
2a. A Mask Tells Us More Than a Face , Digital Illustration, A2,
$300
“A mask tells us more than a face” - Oscar Wilde.
I feel so fortunate to have been at the right time and place in the early 90's to experience the astonishingly wicked talents of Brenton Heath-Kerr through his sensational and provoking performance/costume artworks.
Brenton’s art was a bonus prize where by you would arrive at the Parties and wonder what joy to the eyes you would experience that evening. Those who also witnessed the magical mind-bend of Gingham Woman, at the 1991, Sleaze Ball, and the delectable delirium he caused on the Mardi Gras dance floor as Tom Of Finland, will agree, his conceptual imagination and design for costume was beyond outstanding and outrageous.
To view Gingham Woman was a slam of kitsch and the ordinary mingled in a mind-bending presentation, his effect has left an imprint on Sydney’s party culture history forever. My work Gingham Woman is a homage to the art of Brenton Heath Kerr.
Gone too soon at the age of 33 and still dearly missed by many but never to be forgotten.
Karen Askew’s pronouns are she/her
Her work can be found at @askewalways on Instagram.
3. Blackwood, Sol
Young artist
Sol Blackwood is a multidisciplinary artist within the mediums of performance, sculpture, photography, collage and written works.
They desire to explore the beauty of the world through the trans experience, with a focus on the subversive, spiritual world.
3a. Altar, Photograph, A3, $50
This work is a photograph of a place of power within me. It is a tribute to what I have gained from HRT, and a remembrance of what I have lost. I feel it resonates with the theme as it shows literal flames rising, a shining warmth in memoriam to the beauty of transformation.
Sol Blackwood’s pronouns are they/them. Their work can be found at sol-los.neocities.org.
4. Crawford, Zephyrus
Young Artist
Hello!! I'm Zephyrus and I'm a trans, queer kid!
The majority of my artworks are based on writing and stories I've made, and I really enjoy using fantasy and horror aspects in my art.
4a. The Sun Rises Once More, digital illustration, A4, $50
print run of 5
People gather in awe and happiness to see the return of the light amidst darkness. I think this resonates with the theme as a symbol of returning light- things may get dark but the light always comes back, even if it seems unlikely 🙂
Zephyrus Crawford’s pronouns are He/Him
His work can be found at @razruzeph on Instagram
5. Doran, John
I have been creating for a long time. Selling and gifting work to friends and family. I studied at School of the arts in Darlinghurst and worked as a graphic designer for a number of years.
5a. Phoenix Rising, painting, 30*40cm, $180
A phoenix rising from the ashes flying past a man to inspire creativity and wonder.
Working with mixed media, paint ink and gold leaf I feel that the Rise and Shine brief is reflected in the choice of subject and media chosen.
John Doran’s pronouns are he/him.
6. Doyle, Leon
Leon is an artist working primarily in digital illustration. He is interested in the exploration of, and joy found in the queer icons of his youth and the media he's fallen in love with.
His work dives into themes of self, identity, religion, and the subversion of masculinity.
Leon is new to exhibiting his work.
6a. Lysandre, digital Illustration, A4 $50
print run of 10
This illustration depicts several drawn forms of a figure I feel represents many fundamental aspects of myself.
Through this illustration I hope to show insight into both the joy and turbulence of my practice alongside my experience as a trans adult.
Leon Doyle’s pronouns are he/they.
His work can be found at @withleonite on Instagram.
7. Dunk, Catherin
Catherin J Pascal Dunk is a queer yarnbomber, poet and activist living and working on Darkinyung Country.
This is her third year in the exhibition.
7a. Listen, Various Textiles, 11 x 29cm , NFS. 7b. Consent, Various Textiles, 27 x 130cm NFS. 7c. Love, Various Textiles, 15 x 21cm, NFS.
7d. Introducing… da da da… super femme!, Various Textiles, 4 x 30cm NFS.
7e. Welcome home, Various Textiles, 58 x 130cm NFS. 7f. Respect, Various Textiles, 20 x 34cm NFS.
7g. untitled, Various Textiles, NFS.
I have prepared several crocheted banners in bright colours with words that are important to the queer community, such as 'love', 'consent' and 'listen'. This fits with the theme because it is about speaking up and being noticed, and self-advocacy (rise), as well as being colourfully queer and fabulous (shine).
Catherine Dunk’s pronouns are she/they.
Her work can be found at @catarina_jota on Instagram.
8. Gorton, Taryn
Aspiring Animator and Professional Pest, Taryn grew up on the coast, and attends university for Animation and Game Asset Production.
They work to incorporate queerness into all their works, and is currently directing a Dating Sim with a Drag Inspired Theme. They are proudly both queer and autistic, and view these assets of themself as incredibly interlinked, forming huge aspects of their identity, and how they interact with the world.
8a. Sleeping in, Digital Illustration, A4 $45
print run of 1
As a perpetual snoozer, there’s nothing worse to me than the phrase “Rise and Shine”.
Thus, the proposed title for my work reflects those who march to the beat of their own drum, at least in the regard of a nice long sleep in til midday!
This piece acts as a reminder as well, where some people are loud and proud, and others may not be comfortable, ready, or just more private, in regards to their identity.
Taryn Gorton’s pronouns are they/them.
Their work can be found at @andiavang on Instagram.
9. Gray, Casey
My subversive collection of work arises from a passion for educating the masses through the uniting properties of comedy, paired with a love for the dark, shocking, and strange.
I harness the juxtaposition of the refinements of social etiquette with the lack of intersectional and social sensitivities of advertisements and methods of public service advice posters from the early to mid-1900s.
I'm drawn to sparking or contributing to conversations that highlight the gritty, often unglamorous realities of people with disabilities who also experience intersectional disadvantage.
My artistic purpose is to make the uncomfortable comfortable and to raise the visibility of a community still subject to fear, stigma, negative media hype, and ableism.
I strive to work within an eco-responsible framework, which often results in the production of functional art.
(This work contains adult content)
9a. Bliss Blotter, painting, photography, other, A3, $150
My subversive A3 linen coochie cloth is the end result of costume design, photography, painting, and digital imaging with hand sewn cross-stitched elements.
I hope my satirical take on the spunk rag goes some way to raising awareness and edging closer towards equality, a world where we all are entitled to talk about our serenity sheets.
Casey Gray’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found at @euphoricdreaming on Instagram.
10. Guerin, Caitlin
Clueless the Creative combines chaos and neurodivergence in their technique, drawing from a range of inspirations to freehand most of their works.
Sustainability and accessibility are two of the key factors in Clueless’ work, and creating only pieces that will be long lasting, meaningful and useful for the owner.
10a. Refraction, textiles, 105x45cm, $500
The phenomenon of light refraction transforms light waves into visible rainbows, travelling into sometimes surprising areas to unexpectedly brighten someone’s day.
My piece was worked in and around our local community, on public transport, and at parks, and this led to a number of spontaneous connections with my previously unknown neighbours.
Their reaction collectively was infectiously warm and supportive, positive and encouraging, and led to stories we would share together about family, empowering one another to keep working on our passions, and then we would smile as we parted ways.
Refraction encompasses this feeling, the warmth, the community, the bright hues of our many flags, the encouragement, the support, the empowerment, and the confidence of feeling connected to something beautiful and real.
Caitlin Guerin’s pronouns are she/they.
Their work can be found at @cluelessthecreative on Instagram.
11. Hardy, C. Moore
Moore Hardy is an Australian photographer, nurse and community worker, known for her extensive photographic documentation of the Sydney queer community since the late 1970s
11a. Mardi Gras, Photography, NFS
11b. Protesting the Crimes Against LQBTIQA+, Photography, NFS
11c. Anne Brown & Magda Szubanski AO Celebrating Marriage Equality , Photography, NFS
11d. Mardi Gras, Photography, NFS
Hardy's work has encompassed both freelance and commercial photography, featuring candid portraiture of community events, most notably the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and in particular minority groups within the LGBTI community
C.Moore Hardy’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found at @queersydneycmoore
12. Haymes, Lisa
Lisa Haymes is a photographer who has extensive experience working in advertising, fashion, portraiture, fine arts and cultural events.
Her strength is in building relationships and documenting the inner life of her subjects. She is passionate advocate for authenticity and the arts.
12a. Extraordinary Within the Ordinary,
Photography, collage, drawing 64 x 46 cm, $500
Lisa Haymes’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found on www.lisahaymes.com.
13. Iwaya, Yoshi
I am a Japanese terrarium artist living in Gosford.
My passion is to create contemplative spaces through plants, stones, wood, plants and moss using Japanese Zen aesthetics. Terrariums are a 'cosmos in chaos' for our modern world.
I teach classes at the Gosford Regional Gallery and I love to share my art in the beautiful Central Coast.
13a. Diversity Blooms, Terrarium, $70
As a terrarium artist I make a self sustaining, living ecosystem in a glass jar. Gardens are usually controlled environments, where things that 'don't match' the aesthetic are taken out.
However with light and sustenance anyone can flourish and bloom. Though the rainbow flag represented in sand, and the red Fittonia amongst the green, I want to symbolise a flourishing phoenix rising and spreading its wings proudly within the environment.
Yoshi Iwaya’s pronouns are he/him.
His work can be found at @terra-ya.au on Instagram.
14. King, Jo
Jo Kingskin is a multidisciplinary artist, leather worker and educator who has created costumes and wearable art pieces for movies such as The Matrix (1999) and Pitch Black (2000).
14a. Outlaws, Leather work on Denim, $1000
Jo was co-proprietor of Karnal Leather where she collaborated with Nikki Goldspink to design and create leather gear and costumes (1996 – 2006)
Jo is a collaborative performer having performed at Mardi Gras, Sleaze Ball, Inquisition, Gurlesque, Bad Dog, Kooky, The Hide, Ultra Violet (World Pride) and Carriageworks.
Jo’s practice is based on female/male masculinity within the leather scene. Drawing on her connection to Tom of Finland’s erotic drawings, her work engages with gender chameleonism that blur the lines of sexuality.
Jo King’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found at @Jo Kingskin on Instagram.
15. Knight, Bernadette
I am a maker and an explorer of materials. I endeavour to seduce you and slap you in the face at the same time with my work.
15a. The Pause of Our Hearts, Sculpture, NFS
Rise and Shine. Our hearts pause, vessels fill and rise to create space where the pause of our hearts will shine
Bernadette Knight’s pronouns are they/them.
Their work can be found at @Berna Dettol on Facebook.
16. Lednura
lednura is a Central Coast based hobbyist and educator of visual artistry.
With the mottos of ‘a little bit of everything’ and ‘consistently inconsistent’ when it comes to adhering to art styles; lednura’s working often depict queer figures or icons in pop culture that have influenced some aspect of her sexual identity through bright, saturated colour palettes, fun motifs and a mixture of abstract and realism mark making.
16a. Oh Honey!, Painting, A2, $300
‘Oh, honey!’ Is a playful portrayal of my own sexuality through famous drag queen Trixie Mattel. Trixie acts as a celebratory self-portrait of navigating the psychological battles of labelling and ‘adhering’ to the ‘laws’ of sexuality within my own identity, whilst simultaneously masked under my outgoing and colourful persona.
16b. Popped , Digital Illustration, A3, $100
Limited print run of 1 A3 print Limited run of 15 A4 prints at $30 each
This artwork is a fun take on rising lesbian artist Chappell Roan’s shot to fame in 2024. Roan’s unapologetic attitude radiates from her persona and approach to her art, instilling and solidifying pride, and amplifying a loud and proud voice of lesbianism in the contemporary mainstream music scene.
‘Popped’ provides a cheeky double-entendre of the cherry motif, and other undertones of lesbianism; inviting audiences to pop their Chappell cherry.
Lednura’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found at @lednura_ on Instagram.
17. Lloyd, Julian
Young Artist
Julian L comes from an indigenous background and is a queer transmasculine teenager who believes in living for who you are and who you want to be.
17a. Rise of Self, Painting, 40 x 24cm, $150
Embracing yourself and learning to live life in a fulfilling manor, watercolour piece centering around self.
Julian Lloyd’s pronouns are he/him.
His work can be found at @Cand.lepiss on Instagram.
18. Lowe, Mika
Mika is a trans male artist from Narara, Central Coast. A lover of cartoons, animation and cosplay, he finds joy in creating fanart and works with LGBTQ+ themes.
18a. The Renewed angel, Digital Illustration, A4, $20
Limited print run of 3
18b. Post Top Surgery Joy, Digital Illustration$, A4, $20
Limited print run of 3
This piece depicts a trans individual being awakened and satisfied with their
‘new form’, Inspired by my own experience with top surgery
Mika Lowe’s pronouns are he/him.
Her work can be found at @mikatoonist on Instagram.
19. Magdi, Randa
Randa Magdi’s painting practice investigates portraits.
She is influenced by Fauvism. Passionate about and obsessed with colour, she avoids restrictions to the rules or methods of art convention.
Randa has recently re-investigated her love for art, and painting. She is a prolific painter, who creates work daily.
19a. Gem, Painting, A3, NFS
Rich hues and patterns ordain asymmetrical irregular faces. Randa verbally expresses the following: “freaks of nature, I feel we all have uneven faces.” Past experience in corporate video, SBS TV and Film Australia gave her a love for facial expressions and pattern making.
Her playful irregularity of the human face and love for neo-expressionist and poly-chromatic style seem unorthodox but portray a festive imagination and attraction.
Randa is not interested in perfection and is intent on the naivety of her practice as pure creativity beyond her control.
Randa Magdi’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found at @randamagdiartis on Instagram.
20. Marie, Sylvia
Syl is Australian, trained in Los Angeles at The American Academy and works as an independent director, producer + photographer/videographer for marketing + artist profiles.
‘my approach is to help create spaces that are inclusive, safe, inspired, and initiate conversation’
20a. Beauty Bubble, Photography, 20x24cm $390
Beauty Bubble tips its hat to rustic beauty salons, where people beautify so they can shine in all their glorious uniqueness captured in Joshua Tree, California.
Sylvia Marie’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found at @sylmariephotography on Instagram and at www.sylmariephotography.com.
21. Nemorin, Kai
Kai Nemorin is a 15 year old gay, trans man based on the Central Coast and the Inner West.
He has a really luxurious mullet and is super short. Like, seriously. 5 '0 or something.
He loves himself some Mortal Kombat and will absolutely crush you as Kano (try me). He also loves System Of A Down, Type O Negative, The Boys, Supernatural and more media of that nature.
21a. I’m Just a Boy (Who Likes Boys), Digital Illustration, A3, NFS
When I saw the prompt ‘Rise and Shine’ I thought: “Oh crap. How do I even portray this?” Because honestly, in terms of expression, I’m a pretty dull person.
I don’t really ‘rise and shine’ like other people do. So, I was thinking about how my queerness really does ‘shine’. And the conclusion I came to was: I’m just a boy… who likes boys. Not much else. I wanted to depict that with this work as genuine and true to my experience as possible, while still remaining dreamlike.
I rise and shine in different ways. But this way made me realise that having little crushes like this is all just part of a big journey of discovery that I’m still undergoing in my adolescence.
And expose my celebrity crushes… lol. Characters + guys (excluding me in the middle) from top to bottom, directing right: Peter Steele, Malakai Mitchell (portrayed by Thomas Weatherall), Ken (portrayed by Ryan Gosling), Soldier Boy (portrayed by Jensen Ackles).
Kai Nemorin’s pronouns are he/him.
His work can be found at @beefcream on Instagram.
22. O’Carroll, Maeve
Maeve is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for animation, animals, and some other things that start with A.*
At university Maeve found their natural inclination towards script writing, storyboarding, concept and character design, and being the first to the punch when an unsuspecting lecturer asked “can anyone tell me what film this is from-“.
22a. Untitled, Digital Illustration, A3, $80
Limited Silver Edition Print Run of 10
The Mola Mola fish is my worst enemy.
They’re slow, stupid, not good for eating, full of parasites, bad swimmers and would be - with no doubt in my mind - the source of all sin if there was more than one brain cell bouncing around that bony dinnerplate it calls a head.
Unfortunately, this is not a very sane way of thinking. No normal person holds that much animosity towards a fish they haven’t seen in real life. Perhaps everything in dislike about the fish is a reflection of what I fear about myself. The lack of value. The feeling of going slow.
In order to be better to this fish (and myself), I must learn to admire the aquatic frisbee, in all its parasitic glory.
This fish has not changed over millions of years.
It’s resilient.
It just keeps going
And if I am the fish, so to must I.
Maeve O’Carroll’s pronouns are they/them.
Their work can be found at @atissue_atissue on Instagram.
*(I do sometimes dislike things that start with A. Avocados for one.)
23. Olsen, Nicholas
18 years old, transmasculine and bisexual.
23a. Light Inside, Painting, A4, $100
Nicholas Olsen’s pronouns are He/Him.
24. Robbins, Suzanne (Bold Botanicals)
Lexy Potts is a Sydney based Event and Studio photographer. The world of contemporary photography is graced with the visionary works of queer and colour-blind photographer, Lexy Potts. With a unique talent to form entire stories around a singular image, Lexy has established herself as a true master of the craft.
Suzanne Robbins is the creator of Bold Botanicals, an Inner West floral and design studio with a big 'Yes' for all creative design opportunities and life. Suzanne specialises in locally sourced and grown florals, particularly the weird and wonderful finds from the dark corners of the flower markets.
Creating memories for Queer weddings and events is her specialty.
24a. Scissoring, Photography, A2, $329
24b. Deep Dive, Photography, A2, $329
Artists: Lexy Potts Photography x Bold Botanicals.
The Sapphic Gardeni is a collaboration between Lexy Potts Photography and Bold Botanicals (Floral Designer).
Blossom Baby is an exploration into queer womens visibility in society and the romance of flowers as a secret love language. A sex worker was used as the model and a live fresh flower arrangement was made on set in May Street Art Studios - St Peters, NSW.
By hyper-exposing the gel colours for the set - Lexy pushed her boundaries as a colour-blind photographer as she reads tones. Suzanne used both traditional cottage gardens and Australian natives to blend a neon flowerscape around the models hands.
Rise and Shine resonates with Lexy and I as it represents how queer women are "seen". With all of the work done in decades before us, we question if queer identifying women have really come that far? Rise and Shine is a call to action, for women to "blossom" - even if that includes a kink or non- traditional aesthetic.
Suzanne Robbins’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found at @bold_botanicals_sydney on instagram
25. Rodriguez, Rafael
Young Artist
I’m Rafael Rodriguez, I’m 14 years old, and trying my best to show my
passions in art by painting other artists and people I admire.
I’m mostly self taught and I tend to use any medium that I can get my hands
on, charcoal, graphite, acrylic paint, oil paint, watercolours, etc.
25a. The Rise of the Midwestern Princess, Painting, 40.5x35,
$150
This painting is of acrylic paints and a little bit of oil paints, it depicts Chappell roan in the album cover for the rise and fall of a midwestern princess.
The rise of Chappell Roan, now a big queer icon, I think shows the rise of how each queer person can make a mark on the world and not just be shunned to the corner.
Rafael Rodriguez’s pronouns are he/him.
26. Sisodia, Monica
"Satrang" is a Hindi word that means "seven colours" i.e. Rainbow. It often describes something vibrant, diverse, and colourful, symbolizing a spectrum of hues and diversity.
26a. Satrang ~ Asian LGBTQIA+ in Australia, Photography, Various NFS
Monica Singh Sisodia is a highly skilled professional photographer with six years of experience, known for her remarkable ability to capture stunning visuals across various genres.
Monica’s passion for photography was sparked during her teenage years when her mother handed her a disposable camera. She practiced her budding skills on her siblings, learning and refining techniques that would lay the foundation for her future career.
Over the years, Monica has had the privilege of working with prominent clients such as Manjits Wharf, Grand Bawarchi, La Jawab Indian Foods, and Kashin House.
Monica Sisodia’s pronouns are she/her.
Monica’s work can be found at @visual_raven and @trikone.australia on Instagram
27. Tsang, Fiona
I am a professional freelance illustrator and graphic designer, specialising in hand drawn artwork created in a variety of mediums.
My piece ‘Reaching the Surface’ was the winner of the 2019 Illustrators
Australia best traditional art award.
My passion project is Swing Time!, and LGBTQIA+ themed artwork that puts a double queer 1920s twist on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, exploring and challenging conventional gender identities. I am panromantic, demisexual, and a masc-leaning cassgender demigirl.
27a. Bird’s of a feather, Painting, collage, drawing, 40x28, $330
‘Birds of a Feather’, features a gay genderqueer character from my comic Swing Time! surrounded by a flock of birds symbolising him escaping his cage to ‘take flight’ as his true self.
27b. Gemini, Painting, collage, drawing, 25x40, $420
Fiona Tsang’s pronouns are she/her.
Her work can be found at waijingdesign.com and @swingtimecomic on Instagram.
28. Washington, Kylie
Kylie Washington is an Interdisciplinary mixed media artist drawing from the incredible diversity of the Australian flora living and breathing around us.
She uses painting, photography and digital collage as a way to navigate and make some sense of order, to affirm and glorify life.
She holds a Bachelor degree from QLD College of the Arts.
‘To create is to live.’
28a. Bright Spark Suc-cu-lents Painting, 55x55cm, $150
Kylie Washinton’s pronouns are she/her
Her work can be found at www.kyliewashington.com and @kyliewashingyon_art on instagram