MAGNIFY: Expand Your Vision  

Some weeks ago, I was walking around the fountains next to El Jannah in a state of toum-inebriation and noticed some of Emily Johnson’s illustrations on a giant window. They looked pretty impressive, particularly in their size. Not thinking much of it, I left and forgot I had seen the artwork. When I attended the Magnify Opening on Thursday June 1st and heard Johnson speak about the background of her illustrations, everything seemed to fall into place.

Magnify is alive and well after its online incarnation last year. Consisting of a weekend full of events, artists and installations, the Blacktown Arts program was a triumphant ricochet from our local creatives, proving that artists had survived the restrictions of art-making during isolation. Amidst all of these artworks, Magnify served as a gentle reminder that our local cultural groups are thriving. Several if not all of the pieces displayed as part of Magnify contained some cultural element, showcasing the ethnic diversity that calls Blacktown home. Hybridisation was a recurring theme; hip-hop and art, garments and identity, food and culture. All of these ideas coalesced into Magnify, a weekend of poignant artistic exuberance.

To recap Magnify: Expand Your Vision, we’ve chosen three events from the program to focus on.

Magnify Opening 

The weekend was launched with a panel of artists and creatives who had gone through the Magnify program. Emily Johnson, Mark Mariano, Rizcel Gagawanan, Shannon Smith, and Vishnu Arunasalam graced the stage and fielded questions from Magnify development creative producer Claudia Chidiac. The panel was a fitting way to kick off the event; by speaking to the artists themselves. Over the course of the evening, each artist spoke about their artmaking process and how the Magnify program gave them guidance and the tools necessary to push through with their respective pieces. Touching on Indigenous issues and socio-cultural patterns in Blacktown, the artists gave context to their work and demonstrated to the audience that art-making is not as simple as it seems.

It was particularly impressive to see that each artist approach the mentorship and guidance offered by the program differently. Some credited Magnify with being the major driving force behind their creations, whereas some artists on the panel used the support as a springboard for their work. Regardless, all of the creatives benefited immensely from the program and all had a vision for their work even beyond the program. The evening was capped with pizza (the smell of which prompted Mariano to gladly remind Chidiac about the time) and karaoke. Attendees were able to mingle with the artists and learn more about the program. Sightings of local legend Esky were reported at the karaoke machine, but there is no confirmed footage.

Magnify Public Art Tours 

If you had told me that I could do a public art tour of Blacktown before Magnify, I’d have probably thought you mispronounced Newtown. Funnily enough, the stops on the tour were mostly places I had walked through or past several times, without even noticing the art. The already-mentioned illustrations of Johnson were featured on the rear facade of Blacktown Arts itself, as well as further down the road on a series of gigantic windows. Echoing her earlier sentiments of being inspired by Black Matriarchs, the drawings are an interesting way for Johnson to showcase bodies who often aren’t depicted in public spaces to this size and scale. 

The temperamental fountain and mosaic in the Village Green was one of the sites I had frequented without noticing. Indigenous artists Jacinta Tobin, Nerine Martini, Robyn Caughlan and Tracie Bertram designed the mosaic and fountain respectively, drawing on language and local wildlife to inspire their creations. It was only after walking between the stops that I remembered the richness of Blacktown. I always used to laugh at my Lola spending a whole day browsing the shops on Main Street, but when you walk through on a lively Saturday afternoon yourself, you realise how much vibrancy and culture is found in the unlikeliest of places. 

Speaking of the unlikeliest of places, I was not aware that there was a sprawling graffiti mural to local hip-hop in a quiet laneway. The mural features current and historical figures from Western Sydney hip-hop, including our very own MC Trey (who guided the art tour). This was the most unexpected stop of the tour for me. I found it interesting that an art form so typically emblazoned in the most public of places was tucked away in an alley. I’m sure if murals like this were plastered all over town, graffiti would be a much more welcome art form. For Magnify 2024 perhaps?

Home in Six Yards

Vishnu Arunasalam’s Home in Six Yards was a tactile investigation of garments; their stories and their significance. In a hybrid presentation of dance and open conversation, this piece sought to understand the personal and cultural relationships that people have with the saree. The movement of the dancer around the hills hoist was a fitting juxtaposition. Many of those interviewed for the film made a connection between home and the saree, and it doesn’t get more homely than dancing around your backyard. To those involved in the film, the saree was comfort and refuge, it was also unapologetically bright, even embarrassingly so for some. Despite this, what was once seen as something for the older generation has been lovingly adopted by the youth.

The piece was shown behind two sarees hanging from the ceiling, meaning that the video was partially shown on the garments. One audience member noted the sophisticated simplicity of this approach, noting that Arunasalam encourages the viewer to experience his artwork through the saree itself. A short panel after the video gave the audience a clearer understanding of the purpose of the film. As it turns out, the notion of a ‘national garment’ loaded with meaning is almost universally present. With sarees coming in so many ornate designs and colours, it was easy for Arunasalam to bridge the gap between cultural heritage and its jubilant expression.

Below, you can listen to our Magnify: Expand Your Vision podcast hosted by our very own Nicole Cadelina.

We’d like to thank Blacktown Arts again for letting us contribute to and cover their Magnify festivities. Connect with Blacktown Arts here.

Blacktown Arts is part of Blacktown City Council and is supported by Create NSW. The Magnify Creative Development project has been generously supported by the Australia Council for the Arts.