Popsart

In 2032 The Olympics Paralympics are coming to Brisbane, the Olympics legacy is on the table! We have the opportunity to make Brisbane one of the safest cities for women and marginalised communities in the world while supercharging our creative sector & making it a better place for everybody. Let’s be ambitious! I am very passionate about the intersection between arts & culture & a vibrant night time economy to make a safer city for women. My @Winston @churchill_trust @churchillfellowship builds on my years of research in understanding how a thriving arts scene is part of making a city a safer city. By activating public spaces with cultural events & artistic interventions, we foster a sense of community and inclusivity, making these spaces more welcoming & secure, especially for women and marginalised groups. With my Fellowship I will be researching global governance models of the night time economy by meeting with Mayoral offices & night-time economy experts such as “Night Mayors” I’ll also meet with Urban planners & Place Makers and artists and curators working in this space to learn best practise so that I can then influence how we shape our city into the future. I will be travelling to LA, New York, London, Paris and Amsterdam and Berlin as each city has a different focus in their governance model e.g. NYC has a focus on its hospitably industries where the Night Czar of London is on women safety. I will also want to meet with the director of the Cultural Olympiad in LA & Paris to understand lessons learnt around legacy outcomes. The research would help establish the groundwork for implementing the “Mayoress of the Night” concept - a revolutionary approach to night-time governance that centres women’s experiences and safety. It may feed into a digital platform to share research findings and recommendations with key stakeholders including urban planners, arts organisations, and policy makers. I will also develop a pilot program to test innovative approaches to women-led cultural activation in night-time spaces which could include an exhibition and community workshops. This model and toolbox could be scaled and used in other cities and communities.

@statelibraryqld John Oxley Library have acquired a curated selection of my interviews for their digital collection. The 100 interviews chosen from the over 650 interviews that I have conducted over 7 years are a significant social, cultural historical documentation of Brisbane & Queensland’s artists, producers, performers, curators from Visual Arts, Theatre, Opera, Music, Circus & Dance. They reveal the cultural evolution of this city in that time, taking the viewer to the moments these works were created, you can see who was in the room and map how influences & relationships evolved and emerged. I started @popsartbecmac because the arts build a bridge to the community that you could explore the big conversations such as feminism, racism, capitalism and colonisation through & I believed that by making it accessible & engaging more of the community would become involved in the conversation. Also Queenslanders knew their sport stars but not their art stars & I wanted to change that! I couldn’t be happier. Thanks @cazuarina for all your work behind the wheel of light. Also thanks to all the artists who in the early days let me interview them, through this technology of “live to social media” on a phone which seemed so radical at the time and the organisations that embraced working with this exuberant woman with a pink mic which again seemed highly unorthodox at the time. To all you young artists out there never give up good things take a long time!!

Massive congratulations to @_leelai winner of the 2026 @thestellaprize for her book Cannon a graphic novel that Lee described as a portrait of anger. This is the first time the National literary Award Founded in 2012, to celebrate Australian women and non-binary writing has been presented in Brisbane. Congratulations to all the other finalists as well! It’s good to be reminded about the power of reading and to put down the phone and pick up a novel something I really need to practise myself!!!

I caught up with @lainiburton at her panel discussion about @jemimawyman incredible exhibition Deep Surface @qutartmuseum @lainiburton will soon publish her book “Masked: Anonymity, Empowerment, and Identity in Fashion and Popular Culture”. She will be talking about the history of masks as a tool for transformation & self-empowerment at the @flyingfoxwoman mythological mask making workshop on Saturday 16 with @kimischieren @loganartgallery Book for the workshop link in bio. @flyingfoxwoman is @becmacstudio six-part participatory project — this workshop is a crucial step in the journey towards the major exhibition.This workshop is proudly supported by @artisanqld Queensland’s leading organisation for makers. This project is supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF @artsqueensland is a partnership between the Queensland Government and @logancity.council to support arts and culture in regional Queensland.

It was seven years ago Richard Bell @heshowzoff took his work Embassy 2019 to the @venice.art.biennale A powerful protest work that continued his artist as activist dialogue on the impacts of colonisation and capitalism on the First Nations People of Australia. It’s been interesting to see the heightened activism that has played out against the backdrop of the world’s biggest art fair this year with @pussyriot protesting the Russian Pavilion inclusion, a 24-hour Labor pause for Palestine and workers’ rights – the first in the biennale’s 131 year history, even Banksy’s Migrant Child restored and travelling the city on the back of a barge, amongst others. Large scale global events will always be an opportunity to bring to attention injustice and inequality and in a way these conversations and actions are as vital and important as the main events. Produced @popsartbecmac Filmed @cazuarina @milanigallery #venicebiennale #richardbell #activist #biennaleprotest

We won @creativebrisbane Awards for @chrysalisprojects @vernonahkee Charcoal Stories! Winner First Nations & Industry collaboration, Highly Commended Public Art collaboration, @popsartbecmac finalist best Social Media News Story! 🏆🥇♥️ A true testament to the power of collaboration to over come all obstacles & still be friends @mscarmelh @fionastager @avidreader @leesawatego @timbennetton_architects Thanks so much to my fellow @creativebrisbane directors who produced a world class event and took Brisbane next level in its support and celebration of artists and creatives in this town @barton_d_green @becstarp @taghaode123 @pedrojono @carmenza_nyinqld @troycasey85 @phillpstork @tanyaellen Congrats to all the other finalists & winners - the calibre of work was extraordinary! Also big thanks to the sponsors the first movers whose support helped make it possible! Now it’s time to get a job! #dreamboldly #chrysalisprojects #popsart #creativebrisbanecollab

CREATE YOUR MYTHOLOGICAL ALTER EGO! Flying Fox Woman — Mask Making Workshop! Are you ready to unleash your inner feminist guardian? Register link in bio⬆️ Join us at Logan Art Gallery for an extraordinary mask making workshop as part of Rebecca McIntosh’s @becmacstudio groundbreaking participatory art project — Flying Fox Woman. Flying Fox Woman is transforming women’s safety experiences into powerful artistic action, culminating in an exhibition at @loganartgallery in December 2026. Drawing from Bec Mac’s Churchill Fellowship research into global safety initiatives, this innovative project challenges conventional approaches to urban safety by prioritising belonging and place. On the day you will: 🔴Hear from Dr @lainiburton on the power and politics of the mask 🔴Work with @kimischieren Schieren to design and create your own unique guardian mask and alter ego 🔴Become part of Rebecca McIntosh’s powerful Flying Fox Woman art movement Can be photographed as your masked alter ego for the major exhibition at a special sitting with Photographer @christinalowryartist Lowry in July Flying Fox Woman is a six-part participatory project — this workshop is a crucial step in the journey towards the major exhibition.This workshop is proudly supported by @artisanqld Queensland’s leading organisation for makers. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED. Image 2: Kimi Schieren with student artworks. Courtesy of Kimi Schieren. Imae 3: Kimi Schieren with student artworks. Courtesy of Kimi Schieren. Image 4: Masked: Anoymity, Empowermnet, and Identity in Fashion and Popular Culture by Laini Burton Walter Van Beirendonck A/W2021 Lust Never Sleeps Image 5: Masked: Anoymity, Empowermnet, and Identity in Fashion and Popular Culture by Laini Burton Leigh Bowery. Photo by Mark Baker/Avalon/Getty Images. Image 6: Masked: Anoymity, Empowermnet, and Identity in Fashion and Popular Culture by Laini Burton Image: Giovanni Grevembrooch, Gnaga from Gli Abiti Di Venetian, 1731-1807 Image 7: Flying Fox Woman Rebecca McIntosh 2025 Photo montage Image 8: Flying Fox Woman Projection The Financial District New York City 2025 Proudly supported by @artsqueensland @loganartgallery

If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the division and conflict in the world right now a visit to @studioolafureliasson ’ exhibition Presence @qagoma could be the panacea that you need. Exhibition curator, Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow shared with me her insights into this expansive site-specific installation, developed especially for ‘Presence’ , a work that explores the science of polarization. It was also a work I saw in development when I visited Olafur’s studio in Berlin last year. As @gerkiba reflected on this work at such a time of division it’s “Technically using Polarization but I think we’re socially at a time when our social polarization is so significant we feel like we come to something with an opinion and a position and how do we have a conversation with someone who has a different opinion position. Here we can move through space and change our position and the world suddenly makes sense in a different way.” If you haven’t had a chance yet, go and Immerse yourself in ‘Olafur Eliasson: Presence’ and experience the joy of light, colour, mist, mirrors and movement that can also offer a chance to see yourself and those around you in another way. The exhibition is at GOMA until 12 Jul 2026. Filmed @cazuarina #olfaurEliasson #Qagoma #Geraldinebarlow #becMac

Warming up for the @flyingfoxwoman @loganartgallery Night Walk April 22 — meet the incredible Leni Schwendinger! 🌙 @leni_light is a hybrid artist fusing ART + URBAN DESIGN + LIGHT — optimising night-time experiences for safety, beauty and sustainability. Truly a sister of the light and dark, she celebrates the exquisiteness of the nocturnal city and the people who inhabit it after dark. 🦇 This clip is from Leni’s Urban Braids: Illuminating Newkirk Plaza — an innovative community co-designed lighting project where residents braided strings of light and installed the design themselves. The result? A space that is loved, created and cared for by the community. ✨ Leni’s company Light Projects has delivered extraordinary international works including the Sixth Street Viaduct LA, 2nd Ave Subway NYC and Zaryadye Park Moscow. She also received a Light Justice Award for Urban Braids — recognising exceptional lighting design that positively impacts underserved communities. 📸➡️ Join @becmacstudio @wyethstephanie & @flyingfoxwoman for a Night Walk starting @loganartgallery April 22, 5:30pm — register via link in bio! Register to be part of this walk, project, movement, idea, statement, chance to meet new people, have fun & see the night with fresh eyes!!! Supported by @logancity.council @loganartgallery @artsqueensland @artisanqld @uniofqld @queenslandwalks @zontaclubbrisbane

Finalists for the Best news and/or social media and creative collaboration inaugural @creativebrisbane Awards @popsartbecmac & @chrysalisprojects - @mscarmelh (Co-Founder/Director) & Rebecca McIntosh (Co-Founder/Director) ROLE: Project Directors and producers. POPSART: @becmacstudio ARTIST: @vernonahkee @avidreader – @fionastager and Kevin Guy, Owners. ROLE: Key Business Collaborators, marketing and fundraising Tim Bennetton Architects – @timbennetton_architects Bennetton @allcitywalls Mural Painters Yannick Blatner and Benjamin Werner under Veron Ah Kees Direction @popsartbecmac - marketing and fundraising Iscariot Media @im_socialimpact – Graphic Design Drakos and Co - Legal services Resene Paints - paint suppliers Gadens Lawyers – consultation Cameron Eaton - Engineering Design, materials fabrication and implementation. Bligh Tanner - Engineering Certification Jonothan Oldham – Photography @cazuarina – Writing @uapcompany Preliminary Design Consultant @milanigallery This project was developed in collaboration with the late Cameron Eaton, whose engineering and design contributions were invaluable. We are grateful for his work and remember him fondly. #creativebrisbanecollab #dreamboldly

Best First Nations and industry collaboration (sponsored by @atqpac ) Vernon Ah Kee @vernonahkee and Iscariot Media @im_socialimpact @Chrysalis Projects - @mscarmelh Haugh (Co-Founder/Director) & @becmacstudio McIntosh (Co-Founder/Director) ROLE: Project Directors and producers. @avidreader – @fionastager and Kevin Guy, Owners ROLE: Key Business Collaborators, marketing and fundraising @popsartbecmac : Rebecca McIntosh Director -Marketing and Fundraising Tim Bennetton Architects – @timbennetton_architects @allcitywalls Mural Painters @yannickblattner and @benjaminwerner_ under Veron Ah Kees Direction @im_socialimpact Iscariot Media – Graphic Design Drakos and Co - Legal services @reseneaustralia - paint suppliers Gadens Lawyers – consultation @eatoncameron - Engineering Design, materials fabrication and implementation. Bligh Tanner - Engineering Certification Jonothan Oldham – Photography @cazuarina Gardam – Writing @uapcompany Preliminary Design Consultant @milanigallery This project was developed in collaboration with the late Cameron Eaton, whose engineering and design contributions were invaluable. We are grateful for his work and remember him fondly. #creativebrisbanecollab #dreamboldly

Children & (adults) come & Explore Emotions Through Art in @vipooart Vipoo Srivilasa’s ‘Express Yourself’ Exhibition! The Children’s Art Centre at @qagoma presents Express Yourself, a vibrant and interactive exhibition created in collaboration with Thailand-born, Melbourne-based artist Vipoo Srivilasa, from 11 October 2025 to 13 September 2026. Highlight of the exhibition is the return of Srivilasa’s beloved 2021 activity, Garden of Love, alongside a suite of new interactive experiences. These activities are crafted to help children reflect on feelings in creative and meaningful ways. Vipoo Srivilasa is renowned for his whimsical ceramic creations and participatory installations. His signature “flower bears” – ceramic characters adorned with floral motifs – embody the positivity, beauty, and accessibility that define his artistic practice. Admission to Express Yourself is free, and the exhibition is wheelchair accessible, ensuring all families can enjoy this enriching experience. Filmed @cazuarina #vipoosrivilasa #becmac #qagoma