107 Project’s Jess Cook Names Her Top Five Cities For Young Artists To Find Inspiration


Sydney-based freelance artist, arts administrator and creative polymath Jess Cook has had her fingers in many an artistic pie from which you might’ve taken a bite of late. If undertaking roles within the Underbelly Public Arts festival, Sydney Festival’s mammoth First Night parties, Art & About and ViVID, The Sydney Children’s Festival and Secret Garden weren’t enough, Jess is also the co-founder and director of creative enterprise Token Imagination and is a founding member and director of 107 Projectsa vibrant and in-demand hybrid art space in the heart of Redfern. 

Having crossed the boundaries between theatre, print, online, radio, public art, community arts and festivals, Jess knows a thing or two about traversing boarders in order to find inspiration for her next collaborative endeavour. It’s for that reason that Jess is perfectly placed to offer you the following: her top five cities worldwide for young artists to find inspiration.

ST CRISTOBAL, MEXICO
This little city in the south of Mexico is buzzing with creativity. Within a moment of stepping off the bus, I was welcomed into the small but vibrant community and offered a little cabin in the tiny town on Belhem to use as a studio. Every second day or so the collectivo filled with Mayan locals would give me a lift into town, where there was always some kind of art opening, poetry reading or live music event to attend. Definitely a great place to visit – just stay away from the backpackers – and pack a brilliant punch with a bunch of super lovely folk. A good place to start is the KINO Cinema. The time I spent here had a huge impact on my growth as an artist, so thank you St Cristobal!

Photos: Where I was living in Belhem; local graff that was everywhere and so great.

LONDON, UK  
So this was pretty funny as for a while it didn’t feel like I had left Sydney. There were a good bunch of Sydney creatives clustered around a strong London network, like Berlin. Despite the Aussie Invasion, you can still get dirty and involved with local happenings, which are just non-stop. Any genre, any style, anything goes in good old London town. Working here for a few months meant I got a little bit under the skin of one little area: I went with Petticoat Lane in the Tower Hamlets but this city is so massive you’ll need a life time! Pick one area and get involved in a project; it’s the best way to experience London.

Photo: Poem in East London’s Tower Hamlets

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

It’s not on the lips of many young artists as a destination for art but this city has a real ripple of creativity running through its underbelly. The street art especially has its own unique style, and the city is unapologetic and couldn’t give two hoots about the art world, which is really refreshing. The artists I met were prolific and raw and – like the city itself – immense and confronting. Many of the run down spaces have been filled with flair and colour, offering an amazing contrast  – one you just can’t take your eyes off. Stuff animal parks – get a van and take yourself on an urban safari. A good place to start is Newtown Square.

Photo: woven art work installation at Newtown Square.

NEW DELHI, INDIA 
This place is just so overwhelming. It attacks all your senses on every level! The gap between wealthy and the poor is really hectic. The area where we worked was Hauz Khas Village; it was filled with European style art galleries, bagel shops and Western design aspirations. The art market is alive and well here, but outside of those white walls the city is heaving and every bit of space filled with colours, sound and character. You can’t help but be influenced by all the amazing contrasts – it’s really like being on another planet!

Photo: Shwatz Sticker (Roger Foley and Jess Cook)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA  
My favourite city! You’ve gotta remember to travel in your own city! I love making work here, it’s my favourite place. I feel like the city is getting it right by creating the right policies and initiatives to keep our creatives busy and busting to explore yet ready to come home and make more. There is a talent boom, creating a city saturated in creative delights, and I think Sydney really will be in the top destinations for most young artists to pop in for a visit on their global travels. I’d start with 107 projects in Redfern 🙂

Photo: 107 Redfern by Matthew Venables

You can experience Jess’ creative touch first hand at the Hola Sol Festival Cantina workshops opening this Wednesday 27th November  and running until December 4th as part of the Hola Mexico Film Festival at The Chauvel, Paddington.

To find out more, head to Hola Mexico Film Festival.

Photos by Jess Cook

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