In the Jugglers artist collective in Brisbane we are forming stories slowly and strongly in the same direction for as long as we can. We draw and paint and sculpt the narratives of our lives, our worlds, our illnesses, our conflicts and our loves without words. They come to birth in form and line and colour and tonality to represent our understandings of where are at, even if our themes are hidden from ourselves. We are story tellers. One of the joys of being in this collective at Jugglers is the gentle oral story telling that happens in the spaces and studios over coffee or a beer that might or might not bear any resemblance to current arts practice. Two of the artists who are part of Jugglers – one in a short term studio lease, the other as part of our “White Silence” event – are refugees. Saga escaped war in Africa to find refuge in Australia and Sha escaped war in Afgahnistan, made the trip by boat, was imprisoned in a detention centre, had a TPV and is now, along with Saga, pursuing a “much better life”. These gentle men carry memories and dreams but I don’t have much in common with their past. We are strangers culturally and historically. But, when I am in their presence, in their unhurried presence, experiencing a lingering touch and embrace slows my rushing tendency, slows it right down. I find I am glad just to be with them and its for my benefit. I know they love being part of us. The side affect of an artists’ collective like ours can creep up on us during the mundane slow mark making, the casual conversation, the brief “how are you” visit and can become another aha moment in our in our own human story if we linger long enough.
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