SPOTLIGHT: 2022 MakeSpace Resident Bethany Rose
Headshot of Bethany Rose
What are three things we should know about you?
1. I’m a musician, carer and proud First Nations woman
2. Above all things I love unity through diversity
3. And I’m a follower of Christ’s teachings
What do you do when you’re not at ActNow?
First and foremost I’m a creator, a musician specifically so mostly singing every opportunity that I get. It’s my healing. I’m a carer and an auntie so I spend a lot of time with family and bringing the community together. And I love ancient history, so I’m usually nerding out and researching about pantheons or genome groups and stuff.
What are you looking forward to the most about working with us?
Many things. I feel that ActNow is such a safe space to explore yourself and your art, where your ideas are nurtured and cared for. This project is something I’ve wanted to develop for quite some time. I’ve realised that through different art forms there can be healing and experimenting to achieve a common result.
I first started training as a musician at CASM (Centre of Aboriginal Studies and Music) and that saved my life and started my journey in Music. I left Adelaide and started studying in different places like WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) and Abmusic. I always wanted to develop and showcase my art but I want to do it alongside my sisters and I want us to do it in a space where we can be open, vulnerable and honest with our art.
What social justice issues are important to you?
If something doesn’t come from a place of love, healing or openness I don’t want to be a part of it. Anything to do with oppressing a human or any other living being - I like trees, talk to them everyday - oppressing them is not of my liking. I work with young people, like I said I’m an auntie, so I care deeply about the youth and being there for them during their identity journeys. I’m passionate about challenging racism toward my people and colourism within my community.
How do you think ActNow can contribute to the causes that are important to you?
ActNow can help by giving a safe space for these women and myself to be able to talk about topics that we don’t normally get to explore through our art.
We need more opportunities for First Nations artists to create, where we’re not being boxed into any norms, we don't have to fight for anything or portray any particular message, where we can just make our art as is and perform it without any guilt or condemnation attached.
Why did this residency feel like a good fit for you at this moment of your career?
When I left Adelaide I was known for my “potential.” I’m back home now, I’m older, and I feel like I’ve learnt so much about myself and my art through this journey. However, when I came back, I took on the role of the carer again. But, I knew I needed to do something, especially because people kept asking me “Where is the music?”
I need to make this music now because it’s part of my process. I've had all this music inside me and it’s been bottled up so now I have an opportunity to let it out and set free so that I can move forward and create new musical memories.I feel like I have been given a voice and a purpose. This is my season to share my art.
I know it’s early days but what is one thing you are excited to explore through this residency?
I’m excited to revive my musical journey and reunite with the two women involved in the project. This residency will allow us to explore a new level of comfort and discomfort to speak and be free together.
The second thing is that I love spoken word we’re going to be experimenting with that in this residency. Knowing that there is spoken word coming from ActNow, and being able to watch it myself here in Adelaide is amazing. I’m also looking forward to having Manal on board to help out.
I’m excited to finally be able to use my skills to get my music out. My story doesn't have to be the same story as everybody else. I don't necessarily make songs about being Aboriginal. I am Aboriginal, so whatever story comes out is an Aboriginal story. If an Aboriginal sings it, it is Aboriginal music. I’m working with Ellie Lovegrove and Eleanor Lange because I know they have the same feelings as me. If I can have a program that’s professional and artistic, a place where I can nurture people, help people and maybe even ignite or induce healing in some form, that's what I'm looking forward to.
If you could have a meal with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Yeshua, Jesus Christ. I would love to sit down and have a yarn with Him. There are many people, living and dead, that I would love to dine with, but I’m going to have to say Jesus Christ, all the way because I have some pressing questions to ask him about my loved ones, the world and the cosmos. Don’t play with me Jesus, I need answers.