Como The Treasury will welcome Fremantle-based Artist Tessa MacKay and Screenwriter and Director Roderick MacKay as its Artist and Writer in Residence to the State Buildings in Perth from August.
For two weeks, The Mark at the State Buildings will transform into an open studio where the artists can work, and guests can observe and hear about their creative journeys.
Tessa will explore natural landscapes and botanic still lifes, inspired by Australian artists Marky Tonkin and Philippa Nikulinsky, during her residency, while Roderick will expand on his screenwriting projects stories, which will feature complex archetypal characters, and socio-political commentary.
In 2019, Tessa’s portrait of Australian actor David Wenham, titled ‘Through the Looking Glass’, was a finalist for the 2019 Archibald and went on to win the Packing Room Prize. It will be exhibited at The Mark at the State Buildings.
In 2020, Roderick’s debut feature film, The Furnace, had its global premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It was nominated for 5 AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) awards in 2021, including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film.