More Artists in Mexico

Mexicans don’t need workshops on entrepreneurship. No one here needs anybody to suggest they ‘think outside the box’, because life, here in this land of muchos colores, isn’t stuffed in a box.

Instead, innovation is simply a way of life.

If something needs to be done. Then perhaps one should bloody well get it done.

Which brings me to Sarah and Jason, two people who are clearly serious about getting things done, but with no interest at all in doing it within anything that resembles a box.

In a previous post, I profiled some of the artists sharing this ‘Arquetopia-compound’ with me here in Oaxaca. Today, I’d like to tell you about the last two to join us from the far-off Land of Oz.

Jason Leong has worked professionally as an IT and management consultant and, as an emerging new media artist, his focus is on photography, film and new technology. He is interested in “…exploring the space at which art and technology converge to create new forms of expression, interaction and experience.”

Here’s some of his work:

Sound Designer, Graphic Designer (publicity material) “Gentlemen, Please!”
Cinematographer “Sunday” short film
Editor “Talking Difference Comic Workshops” short film

Sarah Firth infuses all her work with fun and quirkiness. She “…is particularly interested in the intersection between creativity, education and cultural transformation.” She works professionally as a graphic facilitator and cultural comics workshop facilitator.

Firth’s kinetic sculpture first gained attention in 2005 with her work being selected for 25/25: Australia’s top 25 artists aged 25 and under. Recently she was a finalist in the NY Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery. Her short animated documentary, which has been screened internationally, won the 2012 Audience Award for Best Australian Short at the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival.

In short, although they are both Australian, I think their attitudes are pretty darned Mexican.

There is not a box to be seen in any of their work…unless, perhaps, they’re busily deconstructing it.