Help Shân continue her art journey overseas

My name is Shan Primrose and I am a 25 year old Burmese-Australian Visual Artist based in Melbourne, originally from the Mornington Peninsula.

My passion for art was ignited in 2012, when I was 16 years old. I had an art teacher named Jenny Mann who introduced me to painters such as Jean-Michel Basquait, Brett Whitely, and Frida Kahlo. I started painting commissions in 2013 and painted my first mural at the Dundas Street shops in Rye when I was 17.

At the graduation ceremony in 2013 I was awarded the Art Acquisition award, and the school bought my oil painting of a Burmese lady. A few months later, when I turned 18, I embarked on a solo trip to London. I spent my time exploring the amazing murals and galleries in East London. My passion for human rights and social justice was sparked in London too, as I worked full time for Amnesty International. My love for travel is thanks to my parents who love to travel themselves and have taken me to many countries in my early life.

After returning to Australia, I studied a Bachelor of Visual Art and Design at ACU, and graduated in 2018. I was awarded the Outstanding Visual Art Student award, accompanied by a prize of $1000. Although I wanted to paint for a living, it was not possible, so I then worked as a full time Graphic Designer for 2 years for $20 an hour in order to save to travel again.

In April 2019, I travelled to South America and painted murals in exchange for accommodation in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala. In July, I arrived in Mexico, where I undertook a 4 week artist residency in Puebla city. Throughout the residency I explored many themes within my body of work, including self-identity and culture. These themes are now central to my work.

When I arrived back in Australia, I was certain that I wanted to pursue my dreams of becoming a full time artist who travels the world painting. All was going well until the pandemic hit. I lost significant income and was just surviving off freelance design work and print sales.

In July 2021, after a year of financial struggles resulting in mental health problems, I realised I needed to apply for grants to pursue my art. I have always been hesitant to apply for grants, as I knew the rejection would significantly impact my mental health. However I had no other options so I applied for a few small council grants, as well as 2 significant government grants.

I was rejected for all of the grants, but the two rejections that were extremely upsetting were the Small Business Costs Support Grant by the Victorian government of $15,000 (which most of my fellow artist friends were successful for) and then the Sustaining Creative Workers Initiative where I only asked for $5000 in order to cover some of my solo exhibition costs. I was rejected from the $15,000 grant because I put in the wrong ANZSIC code, which I fixed as soon as I found out what the issue was. I have followed up with Business Victoria multiple times and still am unable to get answers. I am still unsure as to why I was rejected from the second grant, as I am beyond eligible as I have dedicated my entire life to my art, and can prove it.

Although my mental health was impacted by these rejections, I continued to keep going with my post-lockdown goal of a solo exhibition, and managed to scrape enough together to pay exhibition fees, framing and promotion myself (as well as with the help of my parents and my incredible friends Jess and Britt at Honey Bones Gallery).

A month ago, in the week overseas travel was announced to be returning to Australia, I received an email from my residency in Mexico:

“Over the last several weeks, our staff and international Board of Directors has reviewed hundreds of residency projects to select our most outstanding alumni, those whose practices embody our values and best reflect a commitment to our mission. Our new alumni program at Arquetopia Italia is designed to help you continue your journey exploring profound questions in relation to your art practice. This program is by invitation only with special terms, considering each one of you is an important component of our community with a solid art practice leading the way to important questions regarding art.”

After almost a decade of figuring out what I want to do with my career - from painting murals, graphic design, to now having had a solo show - the only time I have truly felt at home has been travelling and creating art. When I received this email, I was upset as I didn’t have the funds to take up this incredible opportunity to undertake this residency in Naples, Italy.

However, after having my solo show and seeing how many people have supported me, and continue to support me almost a decade later, I now know that this is the time I need to ask for help. Although I absolutely despise asking for financial support, I can’t mentally undergo another government rejection, therefore I need to turn to my amazingly supportive community for help.

I have decided to take 6 months off making my own art in order to save. I have acquired a casual art instructor role, which will hopefully pay for my flights and spending money, however I need urgent assistance with the residency fees, as they are due on December 10. The residency costs $695 USD a week, and I am only asking for 3 weeks, which totals to $2085 USD (approx $2,875 AUD). The residency costs include accomodation, food, studio space and weekly mentoring sessions.

If you could please donate any amount I would be forever grateful. Because I hate asking for money, every person who donates will receive a signed print, if they email me their postal address to [email redacted]

Thank you so much,

Shan Primrose