Interview with Leading Artist Tom Pender

Artist: Tom Pender

Photograph: Christine Sayer

Location: Old Fire Station, View Street

Why did you decide to take part in Next On Now?

I have been interested in Punctum happenings for a while and was grateful for the opportunity to become involved. I also saw Next On Now as a great opportunity to extend my work in new directions and to work with both established and emerging regional artists.

What has it been like working alongside other artists in Bendigo with guidance from a mentor?

It’s great to find a group of like-minds who are wanting to make stuff happen in regional Victoria.

What has been the inspiration behind your work?

My work is inspired by my own sense of place within the world. I am using my own experiences as a starting point to explore alternative and/or unintentional uses of marginal spaces within the built urban environment.

Have you been experimenting with new art forms and/or techniques for your work?
My favoured medium to date has been photo-based digital compositions. My project with Next On Now involves installation with a bit of a performative element - very much outside my comfort zone!

Describe your work in 5 words.
Edgy. Fun. Provocative. Bad taste.

Who and/or what inspires you?
I am inspired by artists who think, question and provoke with their work, while still having fun and not taking things too seriously.

Where do you hope to be in 5-10 years time?
Still marching to the beat of a different drum, exploring the lesser-known path, creating, traveling, loving, living giving and having fun.