A visual artist and dancer, Steven Tran has been creating work through Footscray Community Arts, ArtLife program since 2013. ArtLife offers artistic and industry development opportunities for artists with disability, including workshops, talks, networking and leadership opportunities. In 2019, Steven decided to take his arts practice to the next level by undertaking an ArtLife Residency, where he has been supported to develop his first and second solo exhibitions.
Steven’s art derives inspiration from music, patterns and the architecture of buildings. As he puts it his art is about “everything I want to be”. Over the last nine years Steven has refined his craft while maintaining a fondness for paint, pencil and bold colours.
His work has featured in West Projections Festival and Due West Arts Festival in 2019, where he installed intricate drawings over photocopies of all of his favourite songs. Steven also performed for Due West Arts Festival in Our Dance Between, with improvised expressions of emotion through movement. In 2021 Steven opened his first solo exhibition, BOLD. This year Steven has been working on his second solo exhibition (the augmented reality evolution to his first show) aptly named BOLDER.
Although Steven has been part of the ArtLife community for many years, Footscray Community Arts isn’t the only thing that connects him to our wonderful suburb. Steven has always been a ‘westie’. In his words “I have lived here my whole life, I’ve been here a long time.”
So, as a born and raised westie, where are Steven’s favourite spots to hang out?
“I like the river and I like spots to relax.” He continues “I love Harry and Larry’s and Myrtle. Sometimes I go out with my support worker to Highpoint. I like going out and having fun there. I love all Chinese and Vietnamese food, especially dumplings. I also love rice paper rolls and spring rolls. There are so many other types of food in my head and too many to say here!”
Not only does Steven have the local knowledge, when it comes to western spirit, Steven has it in spades…
“My team is the Western Bulldogs. I am supporting my team now and into the future. I hope they get into the finals, but the grand final I still can’t talk about.”
Steven is proud to be part of this community and is optimistic about the future of the west; he reflects “I’ve seen good change – many more people.”
Steven’s second exhibition BOLDER will open on September 15 2022, at Footscray Community Arts (45 Moreland Street Footscray 3011) Roslyn Smorgon Gallery. Steven invites each and every person to step into his imagination and journey through his world.
Visit our website for more information: https://footscrayarts.com/event/bolder-steven-tran/
