Despite the provocative subject ‘Creativity in Times of Conflict’, Glug Melbourne launched sans tears or fisty -cuffs!
We wanted to explore how the most tense or difficult situations can lead to the most incredible creative output. ‘Conflict’ is a big topic so we explored it from a personal and national level, to show the diversity of impact it can have.
So who was there and what went down?
First to step up to the mic was Kevin Tran, a second generation Vietnamese Australian. His parents fled to Australia to escape the Vietnam War, traveling illegally on repurposed fishing boats, facing innumerable threats along the way.
Reflecting on his childhood, Kevin said: “After escaping the trauma of war, my parents chose a quiet life in suburban Sydney. Their experiences of conflict shaped a world-view where safety and stability were priority one.” Living a quiet, conservative life led to a cultural tension between generations, which ultimately became a positive catalyst for his creative expression.
Perhaps in rebellion to his upbringing, Kevin is fearlessly creative; having worked as a senior designer, held solo exhibitions for his paintings, launched a branding agency for social impact and sustainability, founded streetwear label ‘Key And Isle’, and recently released his debut DJ mixtape. Creative much?!
Drinkkkk break! Listening is thirsty work and already there was much to discuss. It was time for a bevvy and a chat with a bar tab thanks to local sponsors Pixel and BWMDentsu.
Sufficiently lubricated, next up we heard from husband and wife Adam Murfet and Jessie Oldfield, a local (super suave and stylish) directing duo and founders of film production company CKOL Studio. The team had just completed their first pilot – a comedy for ABC and Screen Australia called, ‘Why are you like this?’ which explores three drama fuelled millennials.
The couple let us get right under their skin, discussing how they depend on friction in their personal relationship for creative output.
Jessie stated: “At first we found conflict to be a necessary evil as part of the creative process, but we soon realised that this tension is actually what creates the very best ideas.”
Adam was quick to agree: “Exactly – compromise leads to neither person being happy. Conflict can lead to something else entirely new.”
Lastly we explored how creativity can come from societal conflict.
Heather Morrison opened her talk with a question: “Raise your hand if you masturbate?”. Now that got our attention! But what if you couldn’t? Heather shed a light on the fact that people with disabilities find their needs forgotten in product development. It was exactly this situation that led her and her brother (who has Cerebral Palsy) to develop a range of sex toys for people with disabilities, working in partnership with RMIT.
Morrison revealed: “My brother is a sex-positive activist for the disabled community, and he drew my attention to this unmet need. I couldn’t believe that nothing existed in the marketplace, leaving so many people with disabilities unable to self-pleasure. Everyone has the right to get off!”
And with that powerful thought, we wrapped.
Having put our hypothesis to the test, we reckon conflict, although uncomfortable, can lead to creativity whether it’s a deep well of self-expression, a fresh tangent concept, or product for a marginalised market. Huzzah!
