Creative Spotlight | Adam Galea
Published on 10 March 2022
Tell us a bit about who you are and what kind of creative work you make
I’m a 34-year-old sculpture artist and teacher. I like to do figurative sculpture because I think it brings out the emotional response I want from the viewer. My work can be quite dark and confronting, with a touch of satire and whimsy. I’m always experimenting so I use different kinds of materials including found objects and my creations range from very small to large outdoor works.
Whereabouts do you look for creative ideas? Who or what inspires you?
Things that inspire me are often harsh day-to-day realities, emotional turmoil manifested, the struggle of identity, abstract musings, tragic occurrences, symbolic imagery, and questioning why things are the way they are. But it's not all doom and gloom, sometimes I like to celebrate an idea or a single aspect of something, poke fun at the foolish and create something ridiculous just so people will smile when they look at it.
How does your personal history, culture or experience inform your creative work?
Being diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, growing up was challenging for me. I also struggled with crippling anxiety and depression. The only thing that inspired me to keep going was the excitement of creating something. It's possible that this initial reason for being creative still drives me today as I'm still trying to find where I fit into this world.
What’s your favourite part of working as an artist / creative?
I enjoy constantly learning new things and the satisfaction I get from creating a new piece, making a client happy or teaching someone something new that inspires them.
Do you have any top tips for emerging artists and creatives just starting out?
Being shy and unassertive, I struggle at times with the self-promotion aspect of the creative industry. I would encourage emerging artists to participate in exhibitions, enter prizes and just get involved in any opportunities that come your way as you’ll always learn new things from those experiences.
Art is incredibly subjective, and its value is often arbitrary. Try not to be disheartened when something you don't particularly like wins a prize or sells for more than what you think it's worth. People are complicated and their taste is infinitely varied.
Be true to yourself, make the kind of work you want to, not the work that you think will sell. Make something that means something, not just something pleasant to look at.
I would encourage creatives just starting out to keep trying new things, make a work using a new material or technique - it doesn't have to be profound if its purpose is for artistic development.
Lastly, don't take anything too seriously (including yourself), art is beautiful and should be enjoyed.
Where can we find out more about your work and get in touch?
I have a website with highlights of my individual work.
My Instagram will have new projects I'm working on.
You can follow Sydney Sculpture School where I work for information on regular classes and workshops.