What kind of power would you like?
Mine relates to dancing, both in a literal and metaphorical sense.
I wish that everyone celebrated and owned the uniqueness of their own dance and that everyone was given the physical, emotional or psychological space to do so. Finding your own rhythm is not easy but it’s a really important thing to do. Allowing other people the space to find, express and enjoy their own rhythm is equally as powerful. But find yours first. I don’t think life allows time for too many should’ves, could’ves or would’ves.
How would it manifest? What would enable it?
Not sure yet, I think my superhero would play her part, but lots of it would be up to each person. Enjoying the moment, celebrating the present, the beauty in simplicity with the greatest tool you have (your own body and soul).
There’s no other space that makes me feel more alive and happy. The time to stop thinking, assessing, analysing and just go with it.
Who is your favourite superhero/person/public figure, contemporary or imagined?
Tough question, I’m an everyday hero kinda gal and I admire lots of different people for different reasons. I don’t have one standout so mine is imagined and intertwined with my theme. She’s one part traditional superhero, one part revolutionary.
She has a name but not many people remember it because it’s the elaborate cape they are drawn to. It’s ever changing and evolving just like her. One thing she isn’t is one dimensional or easily defined. There simply is no succinct box for this superhero; she’s a myriad of things.
The cape would tell her story with all of its patches, stages, trials and tribulations that have made her who she is. They’re not tattooed cause she’s not eternally bound by these stages. Her cape captures her and everything she’s seen and been.
Part armor, part glamour, part protection, part mystery and part freedom. In this sense one part Frida and one part Freda.
What do you admire most about Frida Kahlo and "Freda" Josephine Baker?
Frida Kahlo has one of those faces that you remember, one of those people I learnt about in art class at school that lured me in to find out more. To me her portraits show a depth of beauty, vulnerability and turmoil.
My 6 year old recognized her on a magazine cover recently, she literally pulled my hand back to the shop window and said, “Hey muma there’s that important girl we know.” Wow! She now refers to her by her full name, Frida Kahlo.
Josephine Baker, wow talk about trailblazers! I admire her resilience and love her smile. The times and the world she lived in doing what she did is astounding. Her energy must have been electrifying. And what an entertainer! She’s someone I would love to dance with.
We admire these women now for who they were and what they stood for in a time that would be unrecognizable to us. I don’t think we have any contemporary comparisons. How strong that their messages still resonate?! Imagine if they were living in this world now?!
What do you think of when you think of them?
Frida: mystery, vulnerability, pensiveness.
Freda: sensual, brave, powerful, costumes, infectious smile, fashionista.
What would you change in Melbourne? Australia? The world?
Melbourne is a great and privileged city; it has everything. Sometimes you have to search for it, or what you’re looking for may take place on a smaller scale here than in other places, but it’s here. A bit of a distance from your house, only happens for two seconds per year, be a scene in its infancy maybe, but it’s here and the trick is finding it. I probably wouldn’t ever change that; I like that.
In Australia I think it’s time we made a genuine move away from the old world. The referendum needs to happen tomorrow and the colonial lens needs to be removed completely. No tokenism or patronizing policies that totally miss the point.
Are there any other issues that are important to you? Locally? Globally?
There are many causes close to my heart on the full range of the spectrum; from women’s health through to the environment, the absurdity of the economic inequality in our world and the need for immediate action to protect and maintain cultural heritage.
We kind of have these systems with all of these institutions that hold up and support status quo and tell us “This is the way it is because this is the way it is.” Hmmmm- that doesn’t make sense to me!
Often token space is created within our current systems for “change” and “difference” which kinda misses the point. Objectifying `the other’ isn’t the answer either. That whole house could do with a bit of a shake up.
We all benefit from diversity, creativity, empathy and love. Creating and sticking with systems that limit or confine that is really dumb.
Do you feel like change is possible in these areas? How?
Yeah I do and I think women are more visible in our every day lives now than ever before and access to a variety of thoughts, images and alternate visions aren’t as tightly controlled which is great. I think it’s important not to think in absolutes. No Madonna vs. whore. Debunking the myths of who should be allowed to do what.
I think we have a problem with shooting people down for imperfection, which can sometimes keep people quiet. We are all imperfect and that’s what makes us so fab. We live, we make mistakes, we learn, we grow, we practice.
Do you think your ideas could change anything?
I think when I was younger I always questioned who am I to say this or think this or have a go at this? I was intimidated by people who I perceived were smarter, cooler or more entitled to take up space than I was.
It took me a while, few jobs, few experiences, few opportunities and a few more years under my belt until I was comfortable moving into that space and expressing my ideas freely. I don’t blame anyone or anything, just a journey. And age maybe.
Being born in the 70s, growing up in the burbs in the 80s, a teenager in the 90s, adventure seeker in the 2000’s probably means I can’t easily be boxed into any one of those times, which I quite like. A product of them all, maybe. Being a kid on the fringe of the grunge era and then returning to the country during the peak of the Howard years and then seeing the emergence of the entitled gen now makes for an interesting backdrop for social thought.
Teenagers now send each other inspirational quotes oozing with positivity and confidence. In the 90s things were quite different and underachieving was more popular. What these girls will achieve in their 30s and 40s really excites me.
I look around at the so called top rung of our political leaders and I shrug and think how old school, old world, uninspiring that lot are and then think yeah actually I may have intelligent things to contribute. Frida and Freda weren’t perfect but they had originality and bravery at their core.
Are you comfortable speaking your mind/putting ideas into the world?
Yes and no.
I have become more confident in doing so as I have aged but it was definitely not something that came naturally. I had in the past thought `who am I to judge that or say that or think that or ask for that?’ but now I kinda say to myself well, I’m a bit older now and even if I’m imperfect I really don’t need to apologise for taking up space anywhere. Willing to be vulnerable and experiencing all the highs and lows that come with that is living and learning and that’s what this gig is all about right?
Do you consider yourself a feminist? Womanist? Why/why not? What does this mean to you?
Yeah I consider myself a feminist.
How often do you subconsciously/consciously think about your desired superpower when you dress on a daily basis?
Not very often, but maybe that will change. This project has been really great for me to explore these areas of myself and my journey. I would love to collaborate with Tamara and Kat on my cape one day. It excites me the range of patches I will have to add to it in the future.
