Sean James Cassidy (left) at Sydney Props Company in Marrickville with Kate Richards from Western Sydney Univer-sity and Miguel Valenzuela of the University of Technology.
Local artist Sean James Cassidy’s skills have recently been in high demand and he contributed to a variety of art projects.
Late last year Sean was invited to assist on an exciting collaboration between the National Trust and the University of Western Sydney. The concept was to create a video exploring the comparison of indigenous and western views of the stars and their use in navigation.
Images of historical tools, a transit telescope, chronometer and a sideral-time regulator clock were used, incorporating a 3D expanding view to enable all components to be seen.
Intertwined was the creative input by the Jannawi Dance Clan, with choreographer Peta Strahan developing an original work, Kurrobori. This work interprets elements of the Dharug creation story of Kurrobori, who comes from the “Spirit Land which exists in the Morning Star” (Venus).
Sean was involved in the filming of the dance group at Sydney Props Specialists warehouse and photographing the navigation tools at the Powerhouse Museum. This exhibition is showing at Old Government House, Parramatta Park until October.
Sean at the southern tip of South Bruny Island, Tasmania.
Tasmania was Sean’s next destination where he was invited by the Donelly Family Trust. Sean and Charlie Donelly had become friends when both were at the University of The Philippines. Sean’s brief in Tasmania was to study and research Bruny Island in order to paint a landscape of the family’s property there. As Bruny Island continues to be developed, particularly by the food and wine industries, the Donelly family wanted to capture the relatively untouched qualities that Bruny Island still possesses.
Sean found beaches scattered with driftwood, worn and sculptured by their journeys and the amazing sight of living trees with exposed roots calcified white, glowing in a muted light. Sean’s plan is to produce a series of paintings based on his Tasmanian experience.
“Flourish” was the title of the recent exhibition created by students of the Diploma of Graphic Design at Hornsby TAFE. The TAFE holds regular showcases of students work to encourage interaction with the wider design and creative industries. Jennifer Young is the course teacher and invited Sean to sit on the exhibition panel which provides direct feedback and career advice to students. Sean was selected as an industry guest due to his background in both design and creative arts as well as his strong focus on community arts projects.
Jennifer Young said the TAFE system provided an opportunity for students to progress from Certificate Ill in Design Fundamentals, to Certificate IV and on to diplomas and advanced diplomas of Graphic Design, which could in turn lead to further study through universities.
Sean has many plans for the future including community projects, solo and group exhibitions and the exploration of audio-visual and interactive projects.
By Kerrie Peden