Everyday, Myths and Legends: Artist Talks with Mim Kowner, Nicole Slatter, and Emma Buswell

Join JCG Director Susanna Castleden, with artists Mim Kowner, Nicole Slatter, and Emma Buswell, for a discussion about their artwork in the current exhibition at John Curtin Gallery, Everyday, Myths and Legends, and hear about the artists' recent creative practices.

About the Artists

Mim Kowner is an emerging Swiss Australian artist born in Zurich, currently residing on Whadjuk NyoongarCountry in Boorloo (Perth). They primarily create sculptural installations and figurative paintings, exploring themes of identity and gender within cultural, social, and personal contexts. Kowner's most recent work includes a series of oil paintings rendered in luminous and vivid colour that portray women's soccer, reflecting the growing visibility of women's sport media coverage. They are particularly interested in the interconnectedness of feminism, sport, and art, and how these elements can inspire and promote positive societal change. Working from colour-print outs of digitally altered video-replay stills, negotiating motion–blur, cropped or partly out of focus images, Kowner also takes an interest in what makes the 'poor image' worth painting in a digital age. 

Kowner has a background in ceramics and graphic design. They completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Curtin University, graduating with distinction in 2024. Kowner's work was featured in the 2025 Hatched: National Graduate Show at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA). Their artwork is part of the Curtin University Art Collection, as well as being held in private collections.

Nicole Slatter is a Western Australian visual artist whose practice centres on painting and mixed media, often exploring themes of memory, place, and psychological landscapes. She holds a PhD from RMIT University, as well as a Master of Arts and Honours degree from Curtin University and is currently the Dean of Learning and Teaching in the Faculty of Humanities at Curtin. Her academic and studio-based research informs a nuanced approach to visual storytelling, often using architectural motifs and layered surfaces to evoke emotional and spatial tension. Slatter’s work has been widely exhibited across Australia, with solo and group shows at venues such as Turner Galleries, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, and Fremantle Arts Centre. Her paintings are held in numerous public and private collections, including Artbank, City of Perth, City of Joondalup, Curtin University, and regional galleries throughout WA. Her practice is characterised by a subtle interplay between abstraction and representation, often suggesting fragmented narratives and introspective states. Slatter’s compositions frequently incorporate muted palettes and architectural forms, creating a sense of quiet unease or contemplative stillness.

Emma Buswell is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and writer based in Perth, Western Australia. Her practice is rooted in craft traditions, particularly knitting, beading, and crochet, drawing inspiration from matrilineal techniques passed down through her family. Buswell’s work investigates systems of government, economies, and culture, with a focus on place, identity, and community. She often explores storytelling and local mythologies, using intricate craft processes to examine the intersection of kitsch and cultural expression. Buswell’s recent projects include The Pool for the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial at John Curtin Gallery (2024), and she has been a finalist in the Ramsay Art Prize (2023) and winner of the Joondalup Art Prize (2022). Her work has been featured at Australian Fashion Week and in major exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Western Australia and PICA. Buswell’s practice highlights the gendered nature of cultural production and the power of labour-intensive craft to address contemporary political and social issues.

Banner images: 

Portrait of Mim Kowner. Photo by Tristan McKenzie. Portrait of Nicole Slatter, photo supplied by artist. Portrait of Emma Buswell, photo by Ezra Alcantra.

Photography

This event will be photographed and/or videoed and images will occasionally be used for promotional and marketing purposes, including social media. If you do not wish to be photographed or videoed, please notify staff at event registration.

Accessibility

Everyone is welcome at the John Curtin Gallery. Plan your visit to the John Curtin Gallery.