The Substation in Newport has recently welcomed new chief executive Nuala Furtado. While she is getting acquainted with new surroundings, she spoke to Matthew Sims about how she has found Hobsons Bay and the broader west of Melbourne so far and what she is looking forward to achieve in her new role.
What have your first impressions of Newport been so far?
In my first few weeks, Newport has been very welcoming. Its gentle bustling of activity has me thinking about what new programs we might develop over the next few years to celebrate and bring the community together – I’m excited and energised to start.
Why was the arts and cultural scene attractive to you? What makes The Substation a special place for arts and culture in the west of Melbourne?
After studying music at the Conservatorium of Music Queensland, I explored both the music and theatre scenes in Brisbane – seeing many shows and building my knowledge of contemporary artists nationally and internationally. I think the arts have a special way of helping us navigate life’s pleasures and difficulties, and proposing and testing new ideas and alternative futures/presents/pasts. The Substation is an important organisation and venue particularly in its location in Newport. As access to contemporary arts and culture moves beyond the immediate bounds of the city, The Substation is able to champion diverse narratives and art forms on the fringes of form and content, and determine creative discourse that matters to the local area. The Curatorium, as part of The Substation’s organisational structure, represents an important acknowledgement of that idea, as we consult and activate diverse artform experts to inform and shape the programming and community engagement at the Substation in addition to our Community Reference Group who live locally and inform the us about local ideas, issues and interests.
What inspires you in your life and work? What places are significant to you or what cultures have defined and shaped you?
I am inspired by genuine friendships, ideas sharing and collective care. Growing up in Brisbane, the care of the creative community will always be part of my make up. Recently I have been digging around my Dad’s Anglo-Indian heritage, particularly researching a trek my grandmother and her family took out of Burma/Myanmar in 1942 at the end of WWII before the Japanese invaded. I’ve been working with artist and friend Shan Turner-Carrol whose family shares this same history and trek. We have been using our shared family history as a geolocator to look at queer lineage, queer signalling and queer survival in places where it is still not safe to openly live a queer life.
Have you found any places in Hobsons Bay where you love to spend time?
The Substation of course! But really, I haven’t spent long enough exploring yet, I know there are hidden gems I am yet to find and can’t wait to explore more.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
As an avid bioluminescence hunter, I earned my Bioluminescence Australia Facebook Badge during Sydney’s lockdown for positively reporting a bunch of bioluminescence on some Sydney beaches. I am looking forward to bioluminescence hunting around Melbourne/Naarm.
