In this thought-provoking episode of Creative or Dead, hosts David Constantine and Aleesha Callahan speak with Julie McLaren, an experienced curator known for her work with the Art Gallery of Ballarat and now (hot off the press!) as Senior Curator at HOTA on the Gold Coast. 

Julie shares candid reflections on her journey, discussing the challenges of overcoming imposter syndrome, her deep-rooted empathy and the creative process of curating. She reveals how she finds inspiration from the natural world and from meaningful conversations with artists, as well as giving us a glimpse of her personal rituals that help her maintain focus and balance.

Julie’s vulnerability in speaking about burnout, the emotional weight of curating, and her approach to storytelling through exhibitions offers listeners a rare, authentic insight into the world of curation. 

If you’ve ever been curious or intrigued by the intersection of empathy, creativity – and the transformative role curators play in the art world – this is for you.

LINKS 

Sweat Dreams DJs – Julie’s side project, check it out on Instagram

A source of inspiration in Hans Ulrich Obrist

Look up the work of Scotty So on Instagram

See the work of Sassy Park

Also Belinda Fox

One of Julie’s final collabs at the gallery is with Ramesh Mario Nithiyendren

Julie’s grandad is Ian McLaren, who’s book collection numbering at 75,000 is now at the Baillieu library in Uni Melbourne

YOUR HOSTS

Aleesha Callahan is a design journalist, regularly contributing to Est Living, Green magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Indesignlive and Habitus, the latter of which she was the editor between 2020-2024. A storyteller and versatile freelancer, Aleesha collaborates with select brands and studios to help articulate their voice.

David Constantine is a creative business builder and leader. With a career spanning branding, advertising, innovation, strategy and social impact, David has worked with arts practitioners and institutions in Australia and Internationally for more than two decades. He has delivered place identity strategy and strategic planning for many prominent Australian arts entities including the Abbotsford Convent, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Chunky Move and the Art Gallery of Ballarat. He currently sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. David is a collector of contemporary Australian Art and has strong relationships to both artists and gallerists.

CREDITS

Creative or Dead was produced by Rob Heneghan. 

It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we recorded, the Wurrundjeri and Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in to this episode of Creative or Dead, where David Constantine and Aleesha Callahan sit down with artist and designer Jordan Fleming, who shares her journey from interior design and cabinet-making to a solo practice creating sculptural, creature-like furniture and lighting. A.K.A. The three-legged creatures you never knew you wanted!

Known for her bold, surreal forms, Jordan opens up on the topic of authenticity, instinctive creation and storytelling through her work. Jordan’s creative process is truly her own, and you’ll hear how she finds inspiration in everyday observations of beauty and serendipity. The way she approaches making, while balancing practicality with artistic expression, make this episode a thought-provoking listen for anyone curious about the edges of functional art.

LINKS

Check out Jordan’s website

Connect with her on Instagram 

YOUR HOSTS

Aleesha Callahan is a design journalist, regularly contributing to Est Living, Green magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Indesignlive and Habitus, the latter of which she was the editor between 2020-2024. A storyteller and versatile freelancer, Aleesha collaborates with select brands and studios to help articulate their voice.

David Constantine is a creative business builder and leader. With a career spanning branding, advertising, innovation, strategy and social impact, David has worked with arts practitioners and institutions in Australia and Internationally for more than two decades. He has delivered place identity strategy and strategic planning for many prominent Australian arts entities including the Abbotsford Convent, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Chunky Move and the Art Gallery of Ballarat. He currently sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. David is a collector of contemporary Australian Art and has strong relationships to both artists and gallerists. David is Passionate about the power of creativity to move individuals and organisations. A chief creative officer, and executive creative director. Aspirant polymath. Former AGDA State President, AGDA National Board member. Long time educator, speaker, and mentor. Regular commentator and contributor to design media. Board Member, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Stonnington Art Advisory Board. Judge, Pause Awards, Judge GOTYA.

CREDITS

Creative or Dead was produced by Rob Heneghan. 

It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we recorded, the Wurrundjeri and Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Creative or Dead, David and Aleesha meet with Tom Blachford, a commercial architecture and interiors photographer and fine artist known for his bold and atmospheric works. 

Tom shares insights into his Midnight Modern series, which captures the surreal beauty of mid-century architecture at night in Palm Springs, as well as his recent ventures into AI-driven image creation. Known for pushing the boundaries between traditional photography and digital art, he discusses his unique approach to balancing spontaneity and structure in his creative process. He also touches on his experiences with aphantasia (the inability to visualise images in his "mind's eye"), his fascination with myths and dystopian aesthetics, and the impact of AI on the art world. 

This episode is for anyone interested in the future of creativity, offering a glimpse into the mind of an artist sitting smack bang at intersection of technology and art. If you’re not already familiar with Tom’s work, we highly recommend checking it out before listening in. 

LINKS

Check out Tom’s website and Instagram 

The wonderful Midnight Modern – recently on show at Compendium Gallery

The Lost Archive of Slender O’Kinoshi

Tombo Den AI art commission – check out the Instagram page for some of Tom’s wild images

Tom’s wife Kate Ballis and her incredible work

Influorescence collab between Kate and Tom, check out here

Take a look at Nihon Noir – and Aleesha’s particular favourite, the Nakagin Capsule Tower

You can also read up on this crazy Nakagin Capsule building on Wikipedia here

YOUR HOSTS

Aleesha Callahan is a design journalist, regularly contributing to Est Living, Green magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Indesignlive and Habitus, the latter of which she was the editor between 2020-2024. A storyteller and versatile freelancer, Aleesha collaborates with select brands and studios to help articulate their voice.

David Constantine is a creative business builder and leader. With a career spanning branding, advertising, innovation, strategy and social impact, David has worked with arts practitioners and institutions in Australia and internationally for more than two decades. He has delivered place identity strategy and strategic planning for many prominent Australian arts entities. He currently sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. David is a collector of contemporary Australian Art and has strong relationships to both artists and gallerists.

CREDITS

Creative or Dead was produced by Rob Heneghan. 

It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we recorded, the Wurrundjeri and Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join hosts David Constantine and Aleesha Callahan as they jump right into a rich conversation with Australian artist Eleanor Louise Butt. Known for her abstract paintings, Eleanor shares her journey from experimenting with different mediums at university to ultimately embracing painting as her primary form of expression. 

Eleanor looks at the world with curious wonder, and here she shares how an intuitive approach lets materials, emotions, nature and any number of inspirations guide her creative process. By embracing the element of chance, she has crafted a practice that brings a raw and tactile quality to her work. With recent achievements, including winning the prestigious Muswellbrook Art Prize and exhibitions across major galleries, Eleanor's insights reveal the balance between intellect and instinct in the creative process. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the deeper, often unseen process of making art that resonates on a sensory level.

LINKS

Visit Eleanor’s website to view her work.

Nicholas Thompson Gallery represents Eleanor, view the website.

See the work of Samuel Condon here.

You can listen to the Malcom Gladwell Revisionist history episode here.

Discover more about Edna Walling and her fab garden designs via the State Library here.

You can see a massive, very cool painting by Eleanor on display at the ground floor of Her Bar

YOUR HOSTS

Aleesha Callahan is a design journalist, regularly contributing to Est Living, Green magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Indesignlive and Habitus, the latter of which she was the editor of between 2020-2024. A storyteller and versatile freelancer, Aleesha collaborates with select brands and studios to help articulate their voice.

David Constantine is a creative business builder and leader. With a career spanning branding, advertising, innovation, strategy and social impact, David has worked with arts practitioners and institutions in Australia and Internationally for more than two decades. He has delivered place identity strategy and strategic planning for many prominent Australian arts entities including the Abbotsford Convent, Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres, Chunky Move and the Art Gallery of Ballarat. He currently sits on the board of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. David is a collector of contemporary Australian Art and has strong relationships to both artists and gallerists.

CREDITS

Creative or Dead was produced by Rob Heneghan. 

It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we recorded, the Wurrundjeri and Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Creative or Dead, hosts David Constantine and Aleesha Callahan sit down with Lauren Li, a powerhouse interior designer, author and educator. Lauren is the definition of a creative slashie with over 20 years of experience as a designer, a couple of coffee table books under her belt (published through Thames and Hudson) and a new podcast Design Anatomy. Lauren shares her creative journey – from founding her studio, Sisalla Interiors, to teaching courses and building an engaged online presence on her Instagram and SubStack Style Studies.

Tune in as she discusses the joys and challenges of blending creativity with business, balancing design projects with personal style, and creating spaces that truly resonate with clients. This episode dives right in to the business side of creativity and how to successfully keep the juggle going when you have a lot different but intermingled projects on the go.

Links

The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns

Your hosts

Aleesha Callahan is a design journalist, regularly contributing to Est Living, Green magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Indesignlive and Habitus, the latter of which she was the editor of between 2020-2024. A storyteller and versatile freelancer, Aleesha collaborates with select brands and studios to help articulate their voice.

David Constantine is the co-founder of Senti Partners, an agency which uses intelligence and creativity to help organisations solve society's most pressing problems through brand, campaigns and communications. David has over two decades experience working with brands, products and campaigns across public and private sectors in Australian, European and US markets. David assists companies to think holistically about brand identity, using creativity and purpose to unlock potential for organisations to motivate, challenge, inspire and educate.

Credits

Creative or Dead was produced by Rob Heneghan. 

It was recorded at the State Library of Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land where we recorded, the Wurrundjeri and Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation.

Our music is by Sergey Shadrin, aka Cosmonkey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do rave fashion, a small Scottish village and limestone stone masonry have in common? Steven John Clark.

In this episode, sculptor, furniture stonemason and founder of denHolm, Steven takes us on the winding path from sewing rave outfits on his gran’s machine to crafting heavyweight stone sculptures that can be found in galleries around the world. We talk early creative impulses, the madness of running a growing studio, the weird poetry of materials and the fuel that helps him keep pushing into unknown territory.

There are stories of missed plumbing jobs, tidiness as a mantra, and the kind of 3D thinking that turns limestone into language.

Pull up a chair and listen in.

Links

https://www.den-holm.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interior designer Beck Trenorden has spent two decades working at some of Melbourne’s most well-known design studios. But it wasn’t until she stepped out on her own – launching Versa, a studio grounded in adaptive reuse and sustainability – that she fully rewrote the rules of how she wanted to work.

In this episode, Beck joins David and Aleesha to chat about building a values-led practice from the ground up. She shares the creative thinking behind Versa’s streamlined systems, the surprising power of sketching in real time, and how implementing a four-day work week reshaped both culture and output. Along the way, Beck reflects on formative experiences, growing up in a hands-on family and learning in a science shed.

It’s a generous, honest and deeply human episode from a designer who sees creativity not just in the work, but in how we live.

Find Versa at versastudio.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, Creative or Dead hosts Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine turn the mic on themselves. The friends and collaborators reflect on their own creative journeys – from childhood instincts to circuitous career paths – and how they’ve each found space for expression, experimentation and impact across disciplines.

Aleesha opens up about her accidental pivot from interior design to editorship, the vulnerability of writing, and the slow-burn joy of a long-term creative project. David shares insights from his multidisciplinary practice as a creative consultant and Chief Creative Officer, including his enduring belief in curiosity, reflection, and the value of being an astute observer.

Together, they touch on themes that run through the podcast’s DNA: trusting your instincts, making space for creative percolation, the messiness of opinion, and how to build a meaningful life by connecting what you're good at, what brings joy, what pays the bills – and what the world needs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, hosts Aleesha Callahan and David Constantine step out of the studio and onto the Creative Mornings stage with Jo Hook – coach, and life designer – to talk about crossroads, creative burnout, money myths, and why designing your own death might just be the most life-affirming thing you can do.

Expect laughs, some surprising existential detours, and practical gems on how to stay creatively alive (while still paying your tax return).

Special thanks for Creative Mornings Melbourne, and event partner TOMS Place, Brunswick.

LINKS

Check out Jo's work at jo-hook.com

And sign up for more Creative Mornings each month at creativemornings.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when sharp strategy meets boundless creativity? Ren Kimber. In this episode, we sit down with the entrepreneurial powerhouse and strategic half of menswear label Christian Kimber to talk about creative partnerships, crafting a brand world and the art of taking calculated risks.

Ren shares her knack for blending business smarts with creative intuition – expect insights on brand storytelling, immersive retail design and travel-fuelled inspirations.

Relevant links

Christian Kimber website https://christiankimber.com

InteriorsAU design write-up on the new store https://architectureau.com/articles/christian-kimber-store-by-brahman-perera/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicole Durling has never followed the rules, which might be why she’s helped reshape some of Australia’s most exciting cultural and creative spaces. In this episode, we dive deep into the role of the maker in a world hungry for meaning, the tension between art and commerce, and why craft (with a little ‘c’) is having a very big moment.

Nicole reflects on the tactile joy of materials, the heft of handmade objects, and what it means to support creative practice from the inside out. She’s sharp and generous, sharing the winding path that has led her to her current role as Executive Director of Craft Victoria.

We talk slow making, fast change and the very human urge to leave something behind.

Links

Craft Victoria: https://craft.org.au/

Artist Edmund de Waal: https://www.edmunddewaal.com/

Daniel Mudie Cunningham's Curating Grief https://danmudcun.com/criticism/curating-grief

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Emma Luke is a designer, jeweller, academic and accidental VJ. She’s the head of RMIT’s Master of Design Innovation and Technology, and her work skirts at the edge of wearables, speculative tech and fine art jewellery. In this episode, we talk about designing talismans for the future, the role of intention in craft, and what it means to make magic matter – literally.

Emma's story spans industrial design, the post-digital, trail running, and building community through the rave and research scenes alike. Expect philosophical tangents, a touch of techno, and plenty of thought-provoking moments on the creative process.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not enough people are making work with the intention of it still being around in 200 years. But Christopher Boots isn’t like anyone else.

In this wide-ranging, thought-provoking conversation, we hear from lighting and object designer Christopher Boots, where he sprinkles us with a bit of his magic dust creativity. And spoiler: he proves that the best ideas are marinated and well-seasoned.  

From scavenging childhood treasures in the backyard to sculpting monumental crystal-and-bronze chandeliers, Christopher shares how time, process and materials shape his work. Along the way, we dive into material literacy, the psychology of objects, running a creative business without losing your soul, and how there’s no shortcut for quality, time and contemplation.

Show notes:

Look up Christopher Boots' work here https://christopherboots.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.