One Night In Footscray 2019 Artist Interview #2

Melbourne Art Review: Thanks for chatting with us Sonia. Tell us about your arts practice and what you are presenting for One Night In Footscray 2019. Sonia Zymantas: I’ve been a socially engaged artist for over 10 years working with very diverse communities and public spaces to highlight untold stories and connection to place. I employ a multidisciplinary, participatory approach using everyday materials to draw on personal memories, special places and conversation. My work focuses on multicultural and feminist perspectives, inviting audiences to participate and contribute towards the artwork in a collaborative process. My work for ONIF is a series of over 60 feminist flags created in 10 participatory workshops that started on International Women’s Day this year and will finish at One Night In Footscray. The work engages with (mostly) women to unpack overlooked gendered language that they are exposed to on a daily basis. The project is inspired by banners at the Women’s March and the #MeToo movement. The multiple coloured flags act as a protest symbol to counter the overwhelming gendered language seen in advertising and everyday surroundings. I am also inviting people to join me in a flag-making workshop to make a flag with their own personal statement and contribute to the installation. MAR: What are some of the challenges of producing artwork for a festival? SZ: For me, ONIF shows a genuine love for their wonderfully diverse community and spaces and invites artists and audiences to connect with exactly as it is. It allows for a truly collaborative and raw process which enhances all the aspects that make Footscray special. The festival allows me to be more adventurous and to have the freedom and support to experiment with new ideas. The festival brings together multiple bold projects that range from gentle and grassroots to bold and daring, yet they all fit perfectly into the community. The challenges I have are mostly practical ones, like installing on unlikely surfaces such as shopfront windows, I also wish I could wander off and just see all the other amazing work on offer. It is a very exciting time! MAR: Why did you want to be involved with One Night In Footscray festival? SZ: I was involved in ONIF last year and loved it! It’s a very caring festival, every project is nurtured and the businesses and general community are kind and supportive. I love the range of artwork and events that are on and their response to sites and local stories.The advantage of being a part of ONIF is that you get to showcase site-responsive experimental ideas in a public space to very engaging audiences. I love public art festivals, they create a special space where traders, community groups, artists and local people all connect on an event that has so many different forms of creative expression. MAR: What are your “must see” works for ONIF 2019? SZ: Light, Colour and Sound Fields by Veronica Caven Aldous - experimental, soothing and engaging and Behind the Counter by Flag Inc – fascinating theatrical project activating local spaces through different people’s stories. I would recommend if you are coming along on the night to plan what you really want to engage with and get involved, check out something new and unexpected. Enjoy the element of surprise. Eat as much as you can then dance it off! MAR: Do you have any advice for artists wanting to be involved in future years? SZ: Think about what you like about Footscray and respond to that. Also consider practical opportunities and limitations of working in a public space. Be brave with your ideas, this a place where you can really experiment and engage with new audiences. MAR: What’s next for Sonia? SZ: This is the last workshop for this project, so I’m celebrating it’s completion. Then I need a break. I have some ideas brewing for a new project next year and I’m definitely up for a collaboration. After this workshop I will return the flags to their owners to complete the full cycle of giving, making and receiving. For more info on this year’s One Night In Footscray see the Facebook event here. One Night In Footscray 2019