Iso-work keeps arts connected

In the midst of isolation and social distancing, local artists have been pushing themselves to take on new media and ways of creating. The Kimberley Arts Network has recently been using social media to challenge the region’s creatives to produce themed artworks in the space of five days. KAN committee member Isla Birnie said the idea of the iso-art came about as a way to keep artists connected during a time when they could feel isolated. “Each week we assign a broad theme that is loosely related to what’s happening around us right now with COVID-19,” she said. “We normally announce the theme on a Thursday and then anyone can enter with their own artwork and post a photo of what they create to the Kimberley Arts Network Facebook page before entries close on Mondays. “From there we leave it up to our followers and they will have until Wednesday to like and comment on their favourite piece and we pick a winner out of those that have had the most audience engagement. “Then the weekly winners go into a monthly draw where they can win prizes that have been donated by community members.” The iso-art challenges have been open to all media and Ms Birnie said there had already been a great variety of entries. “We’ve had some glass pieces, digital art and photography, as well as paintings and drawings, so there has definitely been a wide variety of pieces,” she said. “We’ve had a bit of feedback from other artists thanking us because these challenges have pushed them and kept them motivated, and they’re really enjoying the challenge of coming up with something to follow the theme or trying new mediums. “We’ve had a couple of people that said they had never tried using watercolours and they are giving them a go through these challenges.” Ms Birnie said the Kimberley Arts Network would certainly consider the possibility of keeping the art challenges going after COVID-19. “We might not do this as regularly as we are now but we would definitely consider it as something to do to get people continuing to engage,” she said. “It has really brought a lot of new people to our network, which has been fantastic. “Our aim is to connect the artists in the region and this is definitely something I think would be beneficial.”