Katey O’Sullivan, VME artist-in-residence and communications intern

Blog week 1

My name is Katey O’Sullivan. I’m a visual artist who enjoys working in a contemporary and conceptual way. I experiment with both my methodology and chosen materials, and contextualise my work via a research-based practice.  I adore our natural world and as such am concerned with the issues facing the health of our environment. I make a conscious effort to incorporate recycled, repurposed and found objects into my work, and like to draw attention to the beauty of ordinary, everyday, and overlooked elements that surround us.

Born in Australia, I grew up in rural Victoria, and am a country girl at heart. I’ve never lived too far from the sea, and enjoy long hot summers, swimming in the ocean, good wine, travel, and of course the arts. I’m currently studying my final units towards a Bachelor of Arts, Creative Arts (Visual Arts), at Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, Australia. I live with my family in Geelong, which is about one hour’s drive from Melbourne. I’m married to an Irish Master Mariner called Patrick, and we have two wonderful sons aged 19 and 21.

I arrived in Finland two weeks ago, and for the next three months I’ll be based in Rauma with Patrick.  He is here with a small team of Australians overseeing the construction of two new ships that will operate as passenger and freight ferries between Tasmania and mainland Australia. The multi-year project is due to end later this year.

To keep myself busy, I’m delighted that I’ll have the opportunity to travel to Vaasa every few weeks to undertake an artist’s residency and communications internship at the University of Vaasa. What this means is that I will have time to develop a research-based artistic practice (which is a dream for me) and build my digital communications skills while I’m at it.  I’m hoping to explore a range of topics including the magnificent Fabriikki, and the industrial history of Vaasa more broadly, the connections to the female labour force, and traditional Finnish textiles.  I’ve already identified some synergies between the campuses in Vaasa and Geelong and look forward to delving deeper into those too!

Why on earth Vaasa?

So, you may be wondering how on earth I came to be in Vaasa? It’s a great question that points directly to the power and importance of human connections.  As you get to know me better, you’ll quickly learn that I really love to chat, and I am very interested in people’s stories.  An example is when I met Anne Scott-Wilson, artist and educator. We both attended the graduate art show for Deakin’s 2024 honours students.  We discovered we’d both travelled to Finland, and both wanted to return to undertake artist residencies one day. We quickly identified a common love of the Finnish light, and in an effort to talk more about our respective experiences, we agreed to meet again the following week for coffee.  At that meeting, Anne generously e-introduced me to her friend Rebekah Rousi and explained how she had spent time at the University of Vaasa.  Before I knew it, I’d been given a green light to come and visit too.  To cut a long story short, I’ve had my trip approved for my final course credits and I’ll be living out a dream in your beautiful corner of the world for the next 3 months. Honestly, I can’t quite believe how perfectly everything aligned.

Having already spent a few days on campus at UWASA last week, I know that I’ll be easily inspired during my time here.  The welcome from the staff and students I’ve met has been so warm – and boy did I need that! I haven’t quite managed to acclimatise yet.  But seriously, although the connection to the very digital and tech forward work that is being undertaken at UWASA, and my own artistic practice is not yet evident to me, I’m very excited to see how the exposure to this learning environment influences my work.  The discussions I’ve had since arriving in Vaasa are encouraging me to think about new ways of seeing, which ultimately means personal and artistic growth, for which I’m incredibly grateful.

So, this is the start. I invite you to follow my story while I’m here in Finland, and I hope that we can learn together during my residency.

Life as an artwork

One last thing before I sign off this week, I was asked to consider the following question: ‘If your life would be given an artistic title, what would it be and why?’ It’s not an easy thing to do, so if you’ll permit, I’ll call this a working title and reserve the right to change my mind later. My title is:

Don’t Forget to Check Your Mirrors

It refers to something we are reminded when learning to drive a car. I’ve spent lots of hours instructing my sons, so it’s been said by me often in that context. Now I prefer to think of it metaphorically.  A reminder to look everywhere, notice everything, look to the past, and imagine the future. All this while being prepared to come at a thing from varying viewpoints. This is how I try to observe the world around me, and why I still walk around with wide eyes and a sense of wonderment.

What would your title be?

If you are interested in having a discussion with me, or just curious to learn more about my art and research, please contact me at: klos[at]deakin.edu.au