artist statement
My artistic work explores the dramatic tension between what is hidden and what is seen, between private and public realms. I am drawn to that which goes unnoticed, unsaid, or makes me ask 'Why is this something instead of nothing?' In collaboration with artists and community members, I research local remembrances, materials, images and sound to best express the emotional nuance of our ideas. My creative teams' humour, idiosyncrasies and dreaming form the basis for making relevant and contemporary art. Every new project presents its own artistic genre. My work is most frequently inspired by a place and exists in architectural spaces, wastelands, shopping precincts, train lines, parks and theatres…
Biography
Marcia works equally across artistic and management realms. Recent artistic work includes:
- LOT#57, a film 2017
- Vocalist, Arrows I & II by Andree Greenwell 2017
- Performer, Human Rabbits, mmmm Spanish Art Action Collective 2017
- Site specific installations Box Forest & Train Lines - winner Moreart Mars Gallery Prize 2017
- Solo performance I Wanna Be Like You 2017
- Solo performance Colonial Again 2017
- Scribe, dir. Leisa Shelton, Dance Massive 2017
Other recent work includes:
- Cultural Producer and Partnerships Coordinator for City of Kingston (current)
- Tactical Art Projects, a consultancy established with partner, Jessica Wilson in 2017
- Project Manager, City of Kingston 2017
- Co-Curator of Immerse, City of Knox 2016 - 2017
- Project Manager, Victorian State Government Bayswater Underpass Mural 2017
As Co-CEO & Artistic Director of Big West Festival 2012-2016, Marcia funded and produced two biennial, community and contemporary art festivals. Signature programs include Dance Republic, Mobile Radio, Mobile Art Spaces and House Project.
As Artistic Associate at Back to Back Theatre, Marcia co-devised the multi-award winning Ganesh Versus The Third Reich, directed Democratic Set and was show director of Small Metal Objects and Food Court in Australia and overseas. She directed, curated and project-managed multidisciplinary art, community and professional development programs, workshops and events including Theatre of SPEED 2000-2012.
Marcia co-devised and performed in touring works with Arena Theatre 1984-2007. Her play Australian Marriage Act was published by Currency Press 2006. Works toured to Vancouver and Edmonton’s Children’s Festivals, Expo Brisbane and the Sydney Opera House and schools and venues in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory.
Marcia was an active member of the independent theatre scene for many years. She worked as a dramaturg and director with Westside Circus 2000-2004, was a founding member of the Crying Out Loud ensemble (1990-1996) winning two awards for innovative work. She directed with Ranters Theatre and others, touring and presenting works at La Mama Theatre and Napier Street Theatre
Marcia taught at the Victorian College of the Arts from 1990-1996 and more recently for the VCA's Community and Cultural Partnerships course 2015-2017. She taught at Ballarat University’s Small Companies and Community Theatre Course 1997-2000. She co-founded of YAPA (Youth and Performing Arts conference) and the Women Directors Group. Marcia sits on Deakin University's School of Arts Curriculum Panel.
Marcia is completing her Masters of Art in Public Space at RMIT.
contact
Marcia Ferguson
contact.marciaferguson@gmail.com