Dina Broadhurst
NAME :
Dina Broadhurst.
OCCUPATION :
Artist.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN :
Australia.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE :
Sydney, Australia.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS :
Intense, passionate, open.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB :
The freedom to be myself.
ARE THERE DAYS YOU DON’T WANT TO GO TO THE STUDIO :
Never. Every day, everywhere I am, everywhere. Travel is a studio.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR ARTWORKS :
Intimate relationships, human interactions, my relationship with myself, travel, discovery, looking, seeing, observing other artists and creatives.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST ARTISTIC MOMENT :
Managing myself and staying in complete control across all facets of my art and business.
WHICH ARTWORK DID YOU ENJOY CREATING THE MOST :
Splash. At the time, I was forced to cover the identity of a model, something I didn’t want to do, but the work had already gone to print on a large scale. I was living in an old, rundown house that was due for demolition, so I was free to paint on the walls and floors and make a mess. I went to town with paint, splashing and throwing it, and it felt amazing. That process became a style I used again and again, and I still love the piece today.
WHICH HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING TO CREATE :
A recent commission for my good friend, featuring his dog Indy. I’d never worked with an animal before and wasn’t sure how to adapt it to my style and themes. I researched artists like Peter Beard, who combined collage and painting with animal imagery, and explored others until I found my approach. I ended up creating three versions before I was happy, and in the end, I loved the result.
ARE THERE PIECES YOU WOULD NEVER SELL :
My Polaroids. They’re technically for sale, but it breaks my heart every time. I have boxes of them at home, instant photos, small and magical, like a jar of sweets. Each one holds a moment I treasure.
AT WHAT AGE DID YOU KNOW YOU WOULD BE AN ARTIST :
From a very young age. Art was my way to relax, to switch off, to learn about myself through texture, colour, and pattern, translating the world around me onto paper or canvas.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS :
Cindy Sherman, Tracey Emin, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, John Baldessari, Wolfgang Tillmans, Roe Ethridge, Urs Fischer, Nobuyoshi Araki, Helmut Newton.
IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH ANY ARTIST, ALIVE OR DEAD :
Damien Hirst.
IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH ANY PHOTOGRAPHER, ALIVE OR DEAD :
Araki.
FAVOURITE GALLERY :
MONA.
YOUR THOUGHTS ON AI AND ART :
I love all forms of art. You still need a creative idea to begin with, and creativity, for me, is all about the idea.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF BEING AN ARTIST :
Exposing and discovering yourself through your work is confronting, but beautiful.
DREAM COLLAB :
Pirelli Calendar.
ANY STUDIO MISHAPS :
Mishaps are often the source of my greatest artworks.
EARLIEST MEMORY :
Drawing and seeing colours.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID :
Reclusive, inventive, creative, comfortable in solitude, curious, challenging, confident, individual.
MOST TREASURED POSSESSION :
My son.
CHOOSE A SUPERPOWER :
Disappearing.
WORST TRAIT :
Overthinking.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT :
Love.
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT :
Doing what I love and having freedom.
DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS :
No.
GUILTY PLEASURE :
Frozen chocolate-covered raspberries.
MUSICAL ARTISTS YOU LISTEN TO :
Rampa and house music it makes me happy.
BEST THING YOU EVER STOLE :
My sister’s electric blue suede boots
PERFECT DAY :
Time with my son, perfect lighting for photographs, making art, fresh food, and love.
TOP 5 MAGAZINES :
Paris Vogue, Italian Vogue, Spanish AD, POP, Mirage.
LAST BOOK YOU READ :
The Supermodel and the Brillo Box.
LAST GIFT YOU GAVE :
A print I took on a trip to Paris, full of special memories, as a housewarming gift.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU :
When the light starts disappearing, and I have to catch it in time.
FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
Ibiza.
LEAST FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
There’s always something to love about anywhere. Anything new or different from your routine gives you a new perspective and inspiration.
BUCKET LIST :
Japan.
DO YOU LIKE BEING INTERVIEWED :
By email, yes. In person, it’s more confronting.
CLOSEST YOU’VE COME TO DEATH :
Nearly drowned during swimming lessons and again from waves at the beach as a child. I’ve been terrified of the ocean ever since.
YOUR MESSAGE :
Stay true to yourself and never stop believing.
