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CAN Inc. Behrouz Rae International Artist-in-Residence Nov 2008     This residency came about when Behrouz Rae an Iranian based artist met Claire Watson, curator and installation artist, in Finland where they were both Artists-in-residence at Saksala ArtRadius. In the snowy grounds of Saksala  ArtRadius in Haukivuori, Finland the project Sojourn in White was conceived.  It is based around the collaborative dialogue that occurs within international arts residencies. The artists ventured into a course of collaborative intervention, which led them into new creative territory. Behrouz Rae has join Maria-Luisa Marino in the artist-in-residence at the Cowwarr Art Space to continue this international exchange.  Sojourn in White will be curated by Claire Watson and exhibited @ the Cowwarr Art Space in November 2008 and in the Maffra Exhibition Space in December 2008. Artists - Behrouz Rae, Iran, Ilse Van Den Berk The Netherlands and Maria-Luisa Marino,  Australia. Behrouze will also have a solo exhibition at the Gippsland Art Gallery Sale UTO based on the theme of UTOPIA  22 November to 14 December 2008 Behrouz Rae Born in Sumgait, Azerbaijan. He now lives and works in Tehran, Iran.  In 2006 he completed a B.A degree in Photography, Azad University, Tehran, Iran.  He has exhibited extensively internationally including: Europe, London and the US.  He is represented by a number of commercial Galleries based in Iran, London and Dubai. Behrouz Rae Brief CV pdf "......Like ancient Persia, Iran has had a long, creative and glorious history. The artists who participated in 'Lion under the Rainbow' are accustomed to the ideological content of representations imposed by  their  country's history and heritage yet they appear to be exploring the staggering diversity of creative voices as a mode of combative resistance and a passport to greater mobility. Issues of identity, of gender, of the relationship between the sexes, of the prescribed image of the west and the social and political condition of their country, together with the fantastic world of Persian poetry, tradition and the world of fantasy, seem to mark the reality and the personal experience of the artists in the exhibition...... " Extract from KAPUT Art Magazine on a recent group exhibition Lion under the Rainbow Athens 22 May - 22 June 2008 Margarita Kataga Images from UTO

CAN Inc.         Maria-Luisa Marino Artist-in Residence  2007-2008

Maria-Luisa Workshop @ Regional Gallery Open Day Gippsland Art Gallery Sale

Maria-Luisa Marino Statement: My Italo-Australian culture inherently has an identity crisis.  Like all immigrants we have a shared experience of neither fitting comfortably within our inherited culture or our acquired culture of birth. This cultural crisis can result in being an outsider within both cultural societies.  In my work I have explored the resulting tendencies of the 'New Australians' to take sanctuary in life before immigration by surrounding themselves with photographs, religious paraphernalia and intimate items that evoke memories and a sense of belonging. These consolatory items, for a moment, allow migrant Italians to experience some stability in their identities, even if it's clinging to a reality of a past that no longer exists, even in the old country. The use of apparel creates an intimacy and a hint of secrecy as these significant icons of the past are secreted close to the body, partially hidden but also accessible. These objects can provide the desired comfort in maintaining the links to the past.  It is nostalgia that drives my culture to hold onto this mentality of the past and it is their inability to fully belong to either culture that will forever make them marginal men.

CAN Inc Residency Program: CAN Inc looks far beyond mere support for its associated artist's. CAN Inc sees a genuine role for the arts in contemporary life and fosters the concept that well nurtured genuine relationships between artists, arts organisations the general public, communities, government organisations and business can provide all concerned with numerous benefits. Artists in residence are encouraged to have a concentrated focus on the enhancement and development of their own work and if appropriate involvement in our  on-going  education and community based projects. The Program is part of the broader program that is run by the Cowwarr Art Space, a privately owned and run Art Center.   There is no support funding for this program and all applicants must be self funding.   Advice, mentoring and general assistance and support is freely provided.  The application will be assessed against the following criteria and on weather it meets the CAN Inc. and the Cowwarr Art Space program aims and objectives at the time.   Access and duration depends  on suitability of the candidate and availability.   The decision to be accepted or regected is  final and no discussion will be entered into with candidates upon rejection.

Garden Studio

Residency Candidates: Can be drawn from the full range of the arts Can suit either an established practitioner or emerging artist Can be a local, national or international artist Should be an energetic individual that is comfortable in the company of others and is  willing to share their knowledge and experience. Will be responsible for funding their own living expenses.   A rental  fee is currently set at $150 /week.  Will be responsible for their own equipment and material costs Down Load pdf files for information and application forms Candidate Information 34kb General Information 34kb Application pending CAN Inc. Cowwarr Art Space Residents Since 1993:

Basment Studio

2008: Behrouz Rae, Iran, Photographer Installation Artist (Balcony Studio) 2008: Bryony Nainby, Senior Curator, Manager Latrobe Regional Gallery, Morwell (Garden Studio) 2007-08:  Maria-Luisa Marino, Painter , Gallery Assistant Cowwarr Art Space, Casual Assistant Gippsland Art Gallery Sale  2006:  James Milsom Visual Artist, Groundsman, (Balcony Studio) 2005-06:  Amelia Stone Visual Arts Student Monash Gippsland, Gallery Assitant Cowwarr Art Space 2005: Brendan Fitzgerald  "Theatre of Love & Fear" Community Development Theatre Director  "From the Darkness" an adaptation of the "Tempest by Shakespear", with the Nalu Challenge Community at the Fulham Correction Centre. (Balcony Studio) 2004: Josqui Tibbits & Alice Gower PhD candidate in Forestry, Forest Fire Specialst (Department of Sustainability) 2003: Victorian Chef Bart  VanOoyen  Vanessa McRae Curator, Latrobe Regional Gallery Morwell 2002: Victorian Textile/Fashion Design Britt Silvester (Garden Studio) 2002: Victorian Singer/Songwriter Writer Edward Cosmo Murray-White 2000:-02 Victorian Painter Sherryn McIvor Arts Management & Marketing Trainee 1999: Victorian Ceramic Artist Reuben Dwyer 1997: NSW Ceramic Artist Alison Lacy. 1996: Victorian Photographer Angela Lynkushka, supported by The Victorian Arts Council. (RAV) Myer & Reichstein Foundations 1996: International Cultural Exchange Program, "Malai Mongkol" Makhmpom theatre Co Thailand. Funded by Aus Aid, Australia Council, Overseas Service Bureau, Reichstein Foundation, Community Aid Abroad & Patee Thai Restaurant. 1996: International Cultural Exchange Program "Dis Place". Residency and performance by Dancing Horses from Melbourne, Kaliwat Theatre from Mindenao, Philipines, Song Man from Arhnem Land Northern Australia. Funded by the Australia Council. 1996 South Australian Ceramic Artist Christopher Headley. 1994-2002: Victorian Painter Anton Vardy. 1994: Victorian Cultural Facilitators, Dance Drama Residency "Pit Gong" Richard Barber & Neil McLachlan  supported by Arts Victoria. 1993: Victorian Painters, Michael Owen Gaffy & Donna Bogdanovski.

Theatre of Love & Fear, Residenct Artist 2006 + past residents Anton Vardy 2002, Amelia Stone 2006 Artist Rehgan DeMather and Clive and Carolyn