The Accessible Arts residency for Deaf artists is well underway, with all three artists agreeing that they are making huge strides in the development of their projects.

Kate Matairavula, Darlene Thornton and Sue Jo Wright are the successful applicants taking part in the week-long residency, set in the beautiful surroundings of the residency complex at Bundanon Trust. They are each spending the week developing their artforms, with mentors on hand to advise on topics from professional practice to accessing funding opportunities. The artists agree that this guidance is really helping them to develop confidence in their works. (Pictured above: Mentor Luke King gets to know artists Sue Jo and Darlene.)

About Bundanon

Bundanon Trust supports arts practice and engagement with the arts through its residency, education, exhibition and performance programs.

Arthur and Yvonne Boyd opened the Bundanon Artist in Residence complex in 1998 as a gift to the Australian people. Their vision for was to provide an inspirational haven for artists of every discipline and at all stages in their careers. We are excited to be working with the Trust to provide Deaf artists with this opportunity to pursue their work.

The Artists
Kate Matairavula – Playwright, Writer and Performer

Kate began her theatrical journey as a child, performing in community productions with her father, an amateur actor and director. She later became a professional actor with Australian Theatre of the Deaf touring Australia and New Zealand. A Master of Arts (Theatre Studies) at UNSW led to writing for theatre and culminated in performances of There and Back produced by Australian Theatre of the Deaf in 2004 and 2005. She likes to explore themes of Deafhood, deaf identity, culture and language. During the residency, she will draft the plot of a play I Never Knew Her, which will be written to be performed in in Auslan and English.

Darlene Thornton – Writer, Deaf Historian

As a third generation Deaf Australian, Darlene has been involved with teaching, training, researching and writing on Auslan, Auslan linguistics, Sign Language interpreting and Australian Deaf History for over 20 years. Her passion lies in both Auslan linguistics and Australian Deaf History – She enjoys the hunt and likes to explain how languages work. Darlene is looking forward to developing her writing repertoire during the Bundanon Residency and will work on a writing project that will bring to life Australian Deaf History.

Sue Jo Wright – Photographer

Sue founded Sydney Deaf and Hard of Hearing Photographers (SDHP) to continue her passion in photography and to support members of the Deaf community. She provides practical demonstrations and offers feedback on each participant’s work. Sue is passionate about introducing new topics and interpreting the works of other artists and photographers. She also leads Auslan Tours at the Art Gallery of NSW.

During the residency Sue will work on a personal photography project called Refuge from the Frustrations of the Hearing World.