You’ve just returned from a three-month residency in Istanbul – can you tell us about your time at torna?
torna is a project space, artist bookstore and workshop/office located in an underground passage. torna shares the passage with other creatives and businesses like the well established teahouse and karate school. It’s a little hub of underground activity that is easily missed by the crowds on the street above. I had a studio space for the entire residency period that also became the exhibition space, so I had plenty of time to imagine how the exhibition would evolve. Besides being in the studio, I spent quite a bit of time exploring the streets of istanbul.

Your new solo exhibition Invisible Movements employs sound and video to shape an installation – what draws you to these mediums?
Light and sound work well within architecture and space to create an atmosphere. They are immersive mediums and have emotive power.

How do you hope visitors to the exhibition will interact with the work?
I learnt pretty early on that you can’t have expectations of how an audience will interact with a work. I can only hope that visitors just take time to listen, look and feel.

Can you paint us an image of Kadıköy – its landscape, people, the motions of daily life?
Kadikoy is pretty cosmopolitan. It is known to be less conservative than other districts and therefore attracts artists and students. It has more of a chilled vibe than the popular tourist districts. There are fresh food markets, a lengthy stretch of seaside parks to watch the sunset and many teahouses.

What’s something about the culture or country that has stuck with you?
Friends drink tea together until late in the evening. It was nice to experience a different culture of socialising.

Do you prefer to work within white-walled galleries or non-traditional spaces?
I find both spaces a challenge that I enjoy. Non-traditional spaces usually come with their own character that for me is exciting to highlight or work sensitively within.

You originally pursued a career in town planning – what made you make the switch?
I don’t know if I can say I have fully switched careers. Until my residency I was still working part-time as a town planner and probably will again. After eight years of full-time town planning, I made a decision to return to university and study art. I had been doing a lot of short courses while working prior to that. The more I learnt and created, the more I was inspired to continue on that path.

Did this background influence your interest in urban environments and the way people respond to space
Definitely. Especially strategic planning and social planning, where consideration of a community’s needs and movements are studied.

What’s your idea of complete happiness?
Knowing myself well enough to understand what makes me feel good.

What do you think is worth fighting for?
Equality.

How do you like to start your weekend?
A lengthy breakfast. Savoury and sweet!

What are you reading at the moment?
100 hundred things not worth repeating: on repetition by Marianne Holm Hansen. I bought this book from the torna bookstore.

Which local creative folk have you got your eye on?
Brisbane is full of great artists that are inspiring, experimental and supportive of each other. I share a studio with a bunch of creatives, including furniture designer James Talty and artist Leena Riethmuller. It’s always nice to see exciting things evolving in that space.

What’s up next for you?
September is going to be pretty exciting – Level will be curating an exhibition of inspiring female artists at QUT’s The Block gallery and I will be exhibiting in Primavera at the MCA in Sydney.

FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Ithaca Pool with a rainbow paddle pop.
Relax … My parents’ farm in Cooran.
Dine … on a picnic blanket
Indulge … Korean bathhouse at Diana Plaza Hotel.
Shop … Bunnings.
Catch-up … Scout.
Be inspired … Australian Cinémathèque at GOMA.