HOTMESS

HOTMESS are surrealistic party raunch art classes run by Gabrielle Miller and Sophie Taylor. We asked Gab and Soph to expand on what that actually means.

Words by Nat Woods. Photos by HOTMESS.

Before we get into the wild and wonder of your creation, HOTMESS, can you please tell us who you both are and how you met?

We met at the Mullum markets, both with newborn babies and bloodshot eyes. Gab had just moved to the area from Berlin, where she’d been based for ten years. Soph was juggling motherhood and studying Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art full time. We hit it off instantly as we were navigating new-mum identity crisis/exhaustion and found solace in reminiscing about our past creative endeavours and shared love for the arts. This soon led to us renting an art studio together which has become our little haven in between nap times.

What are your creative practices and how have you maintained inspiration and a practice while also mothering?

Gab is a dancer, actor, puppeteer, director and in a band called The Zap Show with her partner. Last year they toured 19 festivals in nine countries all around Europe with their one-year-old son. Soph is an Indigenous ceramicist and painter, working at local pottery studios and selling her own range online and locally. We both agree that our creative practices have been what’s maintained our inspiration in the early days of parenthood, allowing us that vital little outlet and self care to be able to show up as mothers. During those short windows of free time we try to prioritise making art rather than cleaning the house or washing nappies! We are also into getting our kids involved, making it as much a part of their lives as it is ours. They are already developing a love for drawing, drumming and pottery.

What spurred you to combine your talents and create the classes?

The catalyst was the Northern Rivers floods last February. Gab’s house was flooded, along with a lot of the community. Many people were in dire straits and while having a toddler on her hip, Soph felt pretty limited in the contribution she could make. In a fluster, we decided that the best way we could contribute was to do something within our strengths which ended up being a free art class for the community. It’s how ‘healthy escapism’ came about, as we were trying to facilitate an experience people could find some sanity in, even for a moment, away from the mouldy chaos.

We have continued re-finding and redefining our identities after becoming mums. The surrealistic, cheeky and decadent themes we explore in our classes are helping us do this, giving us strength and confidence to push our limitations and be playful.

What can people expect when they come to HOTMESS and do they need prior artistic talent or skill?

By combining concept, performance, costume, lighting, soundtrack and guided drawing exercises, HOTMESS classes offer a multi-sensory experience for the audience to drop into and interpret in a way that means something to them. We perform within the loose constraints of a traditional ‘life drawing’ structure, but expand wildly on what we provide as the drawing muse. Our creative partnership has birthed a concept that is unique, exploring untouched territories between an art class and a theatrical performance. Our class offers a space to facilitate ‘the let go’ that moves us away from striving for perfection or the end result and more enjoy the ‘hot mess’ that is the artist’s journey.

The HOTMESS experience is for anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of a unique experience and explore their creativity. We think it’s even more important for those who have never wielded a paintbrush, but have longed for the colour. Expect some boundary bending and thought provoking entertainment. Our class is designed to conjure important conversations, playfully nudging the audience to ask questions and challenge the fabric of everything. We thrive on the edge, exploring concepts that are bold, silly, evocative and controversial, aiming to put a bit of heat in your seat and a smile on your dial.

What are you both working on this year, both with HotMess and your own creative projects?

Growing HOTMESS is our main focus this year, continuing regular shows in the Northern Rivers, while expanding our reach to national and international venues and festivals. We are also developing other avenues under our HOTMESS umbrella, including ON A WALL – our surreal concepts in a gallery space, AT YOUR PARTY – our classes at private events and RAVE CAVE – our performance at festivals. We have collaborated with Channel Void for a series of online classes that will be released very soon on their new platform Service Desk. As for our own practices, Soph is continuing to teach and make ceramics and Gab is concentrating on writing a children’s TV series and continuing working as an actor.

For upcoming shows, check out @weare.hotmess or www.hotmess4eva.com