A COLOURFUL RESIDENCY ARRIVES AT BRISBANE POWERHOUSE
25 MAY 2026
A vibrant Artist in Residence program will transform Brisbane Powerhouse across 2026–2027, as celebrated artist Rachel Burke brings her signature world of texture, nostalgia and joyful making to the venue.
Known for her exuberant use of colour, tactile materials and handmade embellishment, Burke is a Brisbane-based artist and designer whose practice spans wearable art, performance, installation and participatory craft. Her work transforms everyday and discarded materials into playful sculptural forms, drawing on childhood nostalgia, kitsch aesthetics and a deep celebration of individuality.
The residency opens with Flower. Puppy. Show. (06–08 August 2026), a surrealist performance created by Rachel Burke in collaboration with Patience Hodgson. The work features handmade fashion, live music performed by Burke, Hodgson, Joel Woods and Tom Fletcher, and a craft activation inspired by vintage swap cards, ornaments and beloved puppies.
Junk Jewelling (22 August 2026) invites participants to rework discarded trinkets, broken jewellery and small objects into bold wearable pieces. Guided by curiosity and play, the session celebrates creative reuse, revealing the unexpected beauty of overlooked materials.
Zine Making (17 October 2026) offers a relaxed space for personal storytelling through handmade zines – small booklets created through collage, drawing and folding. The workshop embraces imperfection and intuitive making, with participants leaving with a unique self-published zine and a renewed sense of creative direction.
Rosette and Badge Making (12 December 2026) reimagines traditions of adornment and celebration, with participants using textiles, ribbons and found materials to create layered rosettes and custom badges.
The program concludes with Melty Bead Keychain Workshop (20 February 2027), where participants experiment with colour, pattern and form to create retro-inspired, pocket-sized artworks designed to be carried, gifted or kept as personal talismans.
Brisbane Powerhouse CEO and Artistic Director Louise Bezzina said the residency reflects the venue’s commitment to supporting bold, multidisciplinary contemporary artists.
“Rachel’s practice embodies the spirit of Brisbane Powerhouse – playful, generous and deeply inventive,” Bezzina said. “This residency invites audiences not only to experience extraordinary work, but to step inside it, contribute to it, and leave with something entirely their own.”
Artist Rachel Burke said she’s looking forward to sharing a space where people can make freely, play with materials and turn ideas into something joyful and tangible.
“I want people to feel free to experiment, make mistakes and just enjoy the process,” Burke said. “These works are about curiosity, collaboration and finding magic in the everyday.”
A selection of Burke’s handmade works will also be available to purchase at the Powerhouse Store, including craft books, zines, badges, washi tape and illustrated greeting cards.
Brisbane Powerhouse acknowledges the support of Cass and Ian George for making the Rachel Burke Artist Residency possible.
