Horizon Festival Q&A Unapologetically Dressed
Ketakii Jewson-Brown shares what people can expect from 'Unapologetically Dressed' at the Old Ambo in Nambour during Horizon Festival August 25 - September 3.
The specialists building_Image: Ketakii Jewson-Brown
Nambour's Old Ambo will be buzzing with creativity during the much-anticipated Horizon Festival on from 25 August to 3 September right across the Sunshine Coast. The arts and culture celebration showcases a range of events that celebrate the essence of Nambour and its thriving art scene.
Glambour is the launch party for two exhibitions at The Old Ambo: Unapologetically Dressed and Nonsensual.
Expect a night of glamour, drag, music, costumes, and a lip sync battle — don’t forget to dress up!
The evening will be hosted by this lot, so you know it’ll be a hoot: Andrea Kirwin, Jess Harlen, Ketakii Jewson-Brown, Shaye Hardisty, Fat Dog, Jordyn Burnett, Fiona Harding, and heaps more.
https://www.horizonfestival.com.au/event/glambour/
What can people expect from your Horizon Festival project?
Tell us a bit about your project, what you think audiences will connect with most / or what you’re hoping audiences will take away from it.
If you had to describe your Horizon Festival project to someone you didn’t know, what would you say?
A dive into Nambour Street fashions and the people behind them
How would you ‘sell’ the experience?
Love fashion, street style and the grit and glamour of Nambour?
Come along to The Old Ambulance Station and check out ShayeKet Productions video piece highlighting all the above and more.
Who will love your project? Age range, interests etc.
Anyone who wears clothes
What are you looking forward to most about Horizon Festival?
The lip synch battle that’s part of Glambour and Blak Laundry in Maleny
Tell us a bit about yourself
Tell us a bit about you as an artist, how would you describe yourself as a person, where are you from and what do you enjoy?
Where do you live?
Both of us are hinterland dwellers, Shaye in Mapleton and Ketakii lives in Maleny
Where do you work?
Out of a shared studio space in Nambour called 2nd space
Why do you personally choose to create on the Sunshine Coast?
Because we live here and we love it!
Favourite Sunshine Coast location?
One of the beautiful lookouts along the hinterland where you are surrounded by nature with a killer view or one of Nambour’s side streets covered in street art
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Eclectic, playful, deep
How would you describe your work / practice to others?
Our collaborative work is a mash up of Ket’s photography and Shaye’s textile art with an accent of street fashion
What changes in the SC art landscape have you noticed in the past few years that you’re excited by?
It feels like the arts and culture sector on the coast is growing and strengthening. We have made a lot of connections and love the sense of belonging we feel here.
As a regional location, how does it compare to the rest of Australia and/or overseas?
We may be lacking in great public transport but we make up for it in almost every other aspect – pristine natural surroundings, great food and coffee, fantastic arts scene and galleries, community feel and relaxed atmosphere
What or who is the most exciting act you’ve experienced on the Sunshine Coast in the past year?
Randy Feltface at Woodford Folk Festival – Ket had the realisation that he is her father’s purple, puppet doppelganger.
What support have you received locally, especially in the past couple of years?
We were both a part of The Refinery in 2021, Ketakii took part in the Path with Kellie O’Dempsey that year also. We have secured 2 RADF grants and a RAF grant for our project “The Sunshine Coat”
Which Sunshine Coast artist are you most inspired by?
Very much inspired by the lovely Fiona Harding aka Spirit You. She is a bright beam of pure sunshine.
Also inspired by the unapologetic and authentic approach to photography of both Kim Guthrie and Warwick Gow
What’s next for you professionally?
More playful, eclectic collaborative creating.