Docklands Art Collective
Tree Paper got it’s start in the Docklands as part of Renew Australia DAC project in collaboration with Development Victoria and The District Docklands.
Lured in by the promise of free rent and utilities with the only obligation to follow through with my proposal of building community I had a 14 month roller coaster ride in the Docklands. My proposal included the printing of zines and comics, holding workshops, and curating exhibitions.
At the start of the week I received a surprise call from Angela Simons CEO of Renew Australia asking if I was interested in a space and could I come in that week. I jumped at the opportunity and by the end of the week I had cancelled a trip back to New Zealand, had the keys to a shop and had two Risos moved in for DAC launch that Friday.
Throughout the year we held numerous exhibitions with the highlight for me being the Snoots exhibition raising money for Greyhound Rescue, the Pink themed/named exhibition and lastly the Anything Goes exhibition. This was a small group show with a few of the regulars who had also drawn small murals on the walls.
Another way we tried to build community and activate the space was through social drawing nights, life drawing and art jams. The social drawing was a slow start, but once we got a core group of regulars every week was full. The art jams were also great giving the opportunity to bring live music into the space.
My time in the Docklands was intense with a sharp learning curve. The job of the Docklands Art Collective was to revitalize the area by activating empty shops. I can say I gave it my best and looking back the highlight was the wonderful people I met as a printer, artistic collaborator and friend.
