Project
Eat Art was a community arts project I founded, directed, and curated in partnership with the Surry Hills Festival in 2003 and 2004. The project placed the work of 35 College of Fine Arts (COFA) students in cafés and restaurants throughout Surry Hills, transforming everyday spaces into temporary exhibition venues. Supported by the COFA Students’ Association and the Surry Hills Business Association, the project was inspired by a long-held daydream as a local resident: to create exhibitions that enhanced local businesses while providing professional opportunities for emerging artists.

Process
I worked closely with participating businesses to identify artists whose work would suit both the aesthetic character of the venue and the interests of the owners or staff. Rather than treating cafés and restaurants as neutral exhibition sites, the project aimed to create a genuine relationship between artists, venues, and audiences. I personally coordinated and installed all exhibitions, creating a distributed gallery that extended throughout the dining precinct during the Surry Hills Festival period. I worked with chefs including Jeremy Strode at MG Garage, Jacob Brown at Tabou, and Luke Nguyen of Red Lantern – my connection to Luke was actually via UNSW College and Fine Arts and in part inspired this project.

Outcomes
The project introduced contemporary art to audiences who may not typically visit galleries while providing students with professional exhibition experience and exposure to new audiences. Many works were sold, with artists retaining all proceeds, and several venue owners purchased work directly. The project received extensive media coverage, including the cover of the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, and helped establish ongoing relationships between artists and participating venues. For some students, the exposure led to significant professional opportunities, including international representation.

Ongoing
Eat Art was an early exploration of ideas that continue to shape my practice today: activating everyday spaces through culture, creating opportunities for emerging artists, and connecting creative activity with community life. The project has directly influenced ongoing work in placemaking, cultural revitalisation, and Third Place Studio initiatives, including Rural Liminal.