Good Neighbours is a conversation series with our friends and partners. It's all about getting to know the Nation neighbourhoods, discovering more about the people who live in work in our spaces, and of course getting the best local lifestyle tips from those in the know.
This week we’re joined by Nation resident artist, Dion Horstmans.
In Dion Horstmans’ sculptures, everyday lines and angles are transformed into dynamic, unpredictable and ever-changing forms. A love of the intricacies of nature, the subtle fluidity of machines and a sharp eye for the interplay of light have made an enormous impact on the Bondi-based artist’s creative direction. Horstmans’ aesthetic is driven by line, balance and light; his metal sculptures focus on the shadows generated by forms. His use of line is deliberate, and his dynamic and deceptively minimal pieces change through time, stretching out their shadows through the course of a day.
Where did you grow up, and what are your recollections of that neighbourhood?
I was born in New Zealand. Spent the first four years there then it was off to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands and back to New Zealand five years later. I remember doing a school project on Australia. I would have been nine. I couldn’t read or write but the images of Australia seemed so cool. It had Kangaroos and a big red rock in its centre. I was super intrigued.
What are the biggest changes of the idea of a neighbourhood that you have experienced?
Wow. Thinking about this makes me feel old! For me it starts with growing up and running through neighbouring properties chasing chickens and pigs. There were no boundary fences or even lines. And all the streets had corner milk bars and mum-and-dad-run fish and chip shops. Fast forward fifty years and now I live in Bondi. There are no local mum-and-dad-run businesses now. Well, less. They've been replaced with big chain stores, but I have to say the sense of community is still strong.
How much does the idea of community and culture factor into your work?
Neither really factor into my daily practice but if i’m pitching for a commission for a development I take into consideration the local history and culture. Right now we’re all so culturally and politically charged. We've come through a few years of very polarising events across the globe. I'm aware of it all but I’m going to stick in my lane and keep pushing my own practice. Politics and religion are not table conversations.
Tell us a bit about your home life and daily routine.
I’m an early riser and I train four days a week. I jump in the ocean most mornings at 6am. It’s a great way to connect with the earth. It centres and recharges me. Then it's coffee, studio, make make make, go go go. After the working day is done, it's home for another swim, cook dinner, hang out with friends. Then, BED. I love the swims. I love creating, working and I love jumping into bed. One of the hardest things right now is manage the work/life balance. Working with steel, welding, is definitely a winter sport. It’s hot and noisy business filled with sparks and melting metal. I have all the ‘D’s: OCD, ADHD, you name it, so it's easy to get obsessed with whatever I'm doing. I deep dive. I only stop to eat, because I train. If i didn’t train, I’d just work. It’s a constant. I’m on 24/7.
Are there any interesting stories you can share from your neighbourhood?
My immediate neighbourhood is pretty unique. I live in a cul-de-sac, so no through traffic. I'm a four minute walk from the ocean. I know all my neighbours. During COVID the gyms and beach all closed. It was hard, for everyone, so we started to train at the end of the street. We started with two of us and now there’s over fifty on the chat. Men swinging, pressing, and squaring kettle bells at the end of a quiet little street in Bondi. It’s awesome.
What does your ideal neighbourhood look like?
Neighbourhood. It's such a big word. What does it look like? It looks like this: I see you, smile, say hello, and introduce myself. From that simple interaction we form a bond that helps create a community where we recognise, acknowledge and care for each other.
You've recently moved your studio over to Nation's new St Peters project. What was it that drew you out here and how has the experience been so far?
What drew me out was necessity! I was in a space in Turrella and the lease had expired so I was actively looking for a new space. Then all the stars lined up. The powers that be: Coronation, Woods Bagot and Frost Collective. You could say I was in the right place at the right time. Work and good fortune has landed me in an amazing spot. I’m so excited and focused at the moment, putting every cent and waking hour into creating an immersive showroom experience for my workshop / atelier.
How has this move impacted your work, and what are your hopes and plans for the future?
The space is huge. I’ve split it into two spaces — basically one half is showroom and the the other half is my work shop. One of my super powers is setting up workshops. I love it. I've worked on films like The Matrix and Star Wars where I used to set up all the prop making workshops. This space is a little different. I've been able to create a showroom where I plan to showcase the breadth of my practice, a visual timeline of my sculpture and craft. I’ll work Tuesday to Friday creating works and formulating ideas. On Saturdays I’ll have the showroom open to the public. You can come and have a coffee at Sample cafe and hang out in a light drenched gallery space. I’ll have new and old works on display and as well as works that I’ve collected over the years.
What are some of your favourite spots around the local area?
I’ve had my studio in the inner-west now for over a decade. First Marrickville, then Leichhardt and now St Peters. Wherever I've been based, I've always been deep in my work, so I rarely venture out of the studio, but coffee has always been a drawcard! Right now it's all about Sample, Double Roasters, and Bourke St Bakery. A stone's throw away is Newtown and it's always had a humming cafe vibe. I've discovered that there are a bunch of great small brewery’s around too. Willie the Boatman is literally next door.
Given your work and life are so deeply tied to Sydney, what are your hopes and fears about the city?
I love this city. I’ve called it home for 36 years now. It’s evolving rapidly. There’s plenty to hope for and as much to fear. Let’s just smile and say hi to each other. Let's be respectful and caring as we walk through our beautiful city and our lives. I mean, we live in Sydney, Australia! All the Gods are smiling on this place.