Emil C.

Tell us about yourself and the art you are interested in.

I grew up in Queensland, Australia, and recently moved to Victoria to start my post-grad in Environmental Sustainability. I also work in the HIV & Sexual Health sector, supporting and advocating for people living with HIV.

Very recently, I’ve also started to develop my own art practice that aims to celebrate queer hook-up culture, tackle sexual politics and as a way to talk about my life as an HIV+ person (@BABYDILFX).

In terms of the art that I’m interested in: Photography is my first love so I tend to collect them quite a bit! I’m also particularly fond of works that remind me of my childhood (Katie Eraser @katie.eraser), pieces that challenges white supremacy (Tony Albert @tonyalbert), works that try and grapple with queer theory, aesthetic (Paul Yore @paul.yore) & culture (Nick Mullaly @nickmullaly), experimental works made by queer artists (Jordan Azcune @jazcune), works that try and challenge its own medium (Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran @ramesh__mario), and pieces that advocate for the environment (Troy Emery @troyemery).

I try and make sure I only collect works that tick at least two or more of these boxes.

‍

Through Art Money, I’ve been able to support all these artists whom I’ve looked up to and are constantly inspired by

‍

Tell us about the artworks you have purchased with Art Money and how you came to discover them.

I came across Art Money through Sally Bourke (@justondark) on Instagram. She creates these haunting portraits and there was this particular work named ‘Thunderrr’ that I saw a lot of myself in. I didn’t have a lot of money at that time but I knew I wanted to have it so I reached out to her and asked her what my options were. She then offered to connect me to Junior Space who were selling her work at that time and the rest is history!

‍

Currently, I’m using my Art Money to pay off sculptures both done by Ebony Russell and Glenn Barkley through Sullivan+Strumpf and have also bought a gorgeous piece by the lovely Luke O'Connor (@LUKERYAN____) from Artereal Gallery. I can’t wait to use Art Money one day to support the artists that I’ve listed earlier. I think they’re just some of the most exciting creative forces in this country!

‍

Why do you choose to buy with Art Money?

I love the ease and simplicity of using Art Money. I didn’t think that I would be in a position to buy art until later in my life or until I’m earning a lot of money.

Through Art Money, I’ve been able to support all these artists whom I’ve looked up to and are constantly inspired by. I also adore the team at Art Money. Everyone’s so easy to talk to and incredibly understanding. For example, I lost my job during COVID and I missed a few payments during this period and it was never an issue with them.

It’s nice to know that there are people in this space who are helping people like me to access art that I wouldn’t normally be able to afford. Thank you Art Money!

‍

Image courtesy Emil Canita. Photography by Sean Barrett.