As co-founder of Urban Fabric, I led creative placemaking initiatives and teams of volunteers, curating exhibitions and Secret Cinema film events in vacant urban spaces. These turned underutilised nooks of the city into dynamic places that brought together local people, supported emerging artists, and contributed to the revitalisation of the city, reflecting my expertise in innovative urban design.
Led by Jenny Elliott, the Urban Fabric collective of volunteers delivered temporary art installations and exhibitions in city backstreets and laneways, Secret Cinema events on vacant land awaiting development, and other curated creative placemaking projects in Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia between 2012-2014.
Whilst living in Australia, I co-founded the Urban Fabric collective. This two year experimental project aimed to better use and reveal the potential of vacant urban spaces. It aimed to open up these spaces for film nights, art exhibitions and other community events, whilst bringing together local citizens.
Urban Fabric consisted a group of volunteers passionate about matching local creative talent with activation of under-utilised urban places and vacant land through exhibitions, outdoor cinema and temporary events. We partnered with a range of local businesses, organisations, artists, volunteers and other individuals for these non-profit events, including; 3000 Acres, Neometro, MAP Magazine, DC8 Studio, and Consolidated Properties.
A particular highlight were the number of 'Secret Cinema' nights we ran in Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia, in a range of disused buildings, vacant outdoor spaces and other interesting nooks of urban space. Urban Fabric's 'Secret Cinema' nights showcased and promoted local film-makers short-films and exhibited local artists' work.
You can read more about the Urban Fabric collective and our Secret Cinema events in this Factory Diaries interview with me.
In 2014 Architecture & Design Scotland kindly invited me to speak at their Pecha Kucha event 'Pretty Vacant' about the Urban Fabric Collective and potential of vacant spaces:
